Multicast Distribution Tree Setup Using Router Capability Announcements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multicast distribution tree establishment methods in networks lack flexibility and scalability due to manual calculation of router capabilities for processing joining attributes, leading to inefficiencies in responding to network topology changes and router capability updates.

Innovation Solution

Utilize a link state protocol and Border Gateway Protocol-Link State (BGP-LS) to dynamically announce and manage router capabilities for joining attributes, enabling automatic establishment of multicast distribution trees that meet specific requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual calculation and filling of router capabilities is used, then network administrators can control the distribution tree establishment, but the system lacks flexibility and cannot respond to network topology changes or router capability changes in time

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidmanual intervention
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables routers to automatically announce their capability information for processing joining attributes through link state protocol advertisements. Routers independently publish their own capabilities without requiring manual configuration, allowing the network to self-adapt to topology changes and capability updates in real-time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Routers pre-announce their capability information for processing joining attributes through link state protocol advertisements before actual multicast traffic flows. This preliminary publication of capabilities allows the network to proactively understand router abilities and automatically calculate appropriate distribution trees in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If manual calculation of router capabilities is used, then specific capability information can be filled in, but the system cannot respond to changes in network topology or router capability in time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse accuracyVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous feedback through link state protocol advertisements, where routers periodically announce their capability information. This feedback mechanism ensures that the network always has up-to-date information about router capabilities and topology changes, enabling automatic recalculation of distribution trees when changes occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static manual configuration to dynamic automatic announcement. Router capability information is continuously updated and propagated through the network via link state protocol advertisements, allowing the distribution tree calculation to adapt dynamically to changing network conditions and router capabilities in real-time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Extent of automation

If capability information is carried in link state protocol or BGP-LS, then automatic distribution tree establishment is enabled, but the complexity of information management increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic establishmentVSAvoidinformation management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses existing link state protocol advertisement mechanisms to carry capability information, making the solution universally applicable without requiring new protocol developments. The same infrastructure used for routing information is leveraged to distribute capability information, reducing overall system complexity despite the added functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4089963B1Information transmission and distribution tree establishment methods, apparatus, device, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 ZTE CORP
  • EP4089963B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4089963B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP4089963B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present application relates to the technical field of communications, and provides information transmission and distribution tree establishment methods, an apparatus, a device, and a storage medium. The information transmission method comprises: determining the processing capabilities of a present node for a joining attribute of a multicast join message; and announcing to a network information about the processing capabilities for the joining attribute of the multicast join message, the information about the processing capabilities for the joining attribute of the multicast join message being used to indicate the processing capabilities of the present node for the joining attribute carried in the multicast join message.