Multicast Flow Prioritization in PIM Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In protocol independent multicast (PIM) networks, existing mechanisms fail to prioritize multicast flows effectively when the multicast flow limit is reached, leading to inconsistencies and blockage of higher priority flows, resulting in incomplete delivery of multimedia content to receivers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where routers preempt lower priority multicast flows with higher priority flows when the flow limit is reached, using consistent priority values across the PIM domain to ensure higher priority flows are maintained and delivered, with priority values set by administrators or centralized controllers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a maximum number of multicast flows are installed on the router, then the router can maintain a manageable number of flows, but higher priority flows may be blocked when the limit is reached
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing priority values as an additional parameter for multicast flows. When the flow limit is reached, the router compares priority values of existing flows with new requested flows and replaces lower priority flows with higher priority flows, thereby dynamically adjusting which flows are maintained based on their priority parameters.
2Device complexity
If existing mechanisms are used to manage multicast flows, then the router can operate with simple flow management, but inconsistencies and blockage of higher priority flows occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assigning priority values to multicast flows before they are installed on the router. This allows the router to make informed decisions about which flows to maintain or replace when the flow limit is reached, ensuring consistent prioritization without complex real-time analysis.
3Reliability
If the router installs all requested multicast flows, then complete content delivery is achieved, but the router may exceed its flow limit and become overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by treating different multicast flows differently based on their priority values. Instead of treating all flows uniformly, the router assigns different priority levels and uses these local distinctions to make replacement decisions, ensuring that high-priority content receives preferential treatment while managing overall router capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for multicast flow prioritization in protocol independent multicast (PIM) networks with multicast flow limits. According to the disclosed techniques, once a router has reached its multicast flow limit, the router may preempt an installed lower priority multicast flow with a newly requested higher priority multicast flow. For example, if a maximum number of multicast flows are installed on the router, then, upon receiving a PIM join for a higher priority flow as compared to the installed flows, the router replaces one of the installed lower priority flows with the received higher priority flow. Furthermore, according to the disclosed techniques, priority values for multicast flows are consistent across a PIM domain and each of the routers within the PIM domain is configured to use the priority values to select a higher priority flow over a lower priority flow.