Multicast Assert Message Aggregation for Network Overhead
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Solution Overview
Problem
The exponential increase in multicast entries due to wide deployment of multicast services leads to a surge in assert messages, causing network overheads and impacting device performance, with potential message discard and prolonged multicast traffic forwarding.
Innovation Solution
Classify and aggregate assert messages based on the same multicast source address or rendezvous point (RP) address, extending PIM assert message formats to combine multiple messages into one, enhancing packet processing efficiency and reducing device overheads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of multicast entries increases to support wide deployment of multicast services, then the multicast service coverage is improved, but the network overhead increases and device performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple assert messages into a single aggregated assert message by classifying them based on common multicast source addresses or RP addresses. This combining approach reduces the total number of assert messages transmitted across the network, thereby reducing network overhead while maintaining the ability to support multiple multicast services through structured classification and aggregation of assert records
2Productivity
If a large number of assert messages are sent in a short time, then the multicast packet forwarding is improved, but the device processing capability is overwhelmed and messages are discarded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple assert messages into a single aggregated assert message that contains multiple assert records classified by common source addresses or RP addresses. This merging reduces the volume of messages the device must process, allowing the device to maintain high forwarding efficiency without being overwhelmed by excessive individual message processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary classification and aggregation of assert records before transmitting assert messages. By pre-organizing assert records into classified groups based on common source addresses or RP addresses, the system prepares consolidated messages that reduce processing burden on downstream devices, preventing message discard while maintaining forwarding efficiency
3Reliability
If assert messages are sent frequently to ensure proper multicast packet forwarding, then the multicast forwarding accuracy is improved, but the time required for repeated forwarding increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple assert messages into a single aggregated message that conveys the same forwarding control information more efficiently. This aggregation maintains the reliability of multicast forwarding decisions while reducing the total time spent transmitting and processing individual assert messages, as the aggregated message is processed once instead of multiple times
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a method and device for sending and obtaining an assert message, to increase packet processing efficiency and reduce overheads of the network device. The method includes: determining, by a network node, a plurality of assert records based on one multicast source address, where each of the plurality of assert records includes the multicast source address and one multicast group address, the plurality of assert records have the same multicast source address, and multicast group addresses included in different assert records in the plurality of assert records are different from each other; generating, by the network node, one assert message based on the plurality of assert records, where the assert message includes the multicast source address and the multicast group addresses in the plurality of assert records; and sending, by the network node, the assert message in a multicast mode.