Programmable Network Multicast for Unicast Receivers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current reliable multicast techniques are inefficient and require changes to receivers or do not work with HTTP mechanisms, leading to high costs and limited speed in delivering large amounts of data to multiple recipients, such as in MPEG-DASH streaming and software updates.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a programmable network with remotely controllable forwarding nodes to replicate and address data packets, allowing for efficient multicasting even with 'off-the-shelf' unicast receivers, by formatting data according to a transport protocol and setting destination addresses, thereby maintaining compatibility with existing infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If unicast transmission is used for each receiver, then reliability and compatibility with HTTP mechanisms are maintained, but network capacity requirements and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple unicast transmission requests into a single multicast transmission by having the network controller identify common data requests from multiple receivers and consolidating them into one multicast stream, thereby reducing network capacity requirements while maintaining reliable delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dual-mode transmission system where the network can operate in unicast mode for individual receivers and multicast mode for multiple receivers simultaneously, allowing the system to adaptively select the most efficient transmission mode based on receiver demand patterns
2Productivity
If reliable multicast techniques are implemented, then network efficiency improves, but receiver compatibility deteriorates as changes to receivers are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network controller as an intermediary between the server and receivers that handles the complexity of multicast management, allowing receivers to remain simple unicast-capable devices while the controller performs multicast group management and packet replication functions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses packet copying at the network controller level where a single data stream is replicated into multiple copies for different receivers, achieving multicast efficiency without requiring receivers to implement complex multicast protocols or modify their receiving software
3Reliability
If HTTP caches are placed low in the network tree, then cache effectiveness improves, but the number of receivers per cache decreases increasing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a logical multicast dimension to the physical network hierarchy, allowing a single cache instance to serve multiple receivers through multicast distribution, thereby eliminating the need to deploy caches at every network leaf point while maintaining cache effectiveness
4Productivity
If HTTP caches are placed high in the network tree, then receiver coverage per cache improves, but network transport capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data distribution function between the cache (which stores and manages content) and the network controller (which handles multicast replication and distribution), allowing a single cache to serve many receivers without requiring proportionally high transport capacity throughout the network
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method are provided for transmitting data via a network. Upon receiving a request for unicast transmission of the data, the system and method respond to the request by i) formatting the data in accordance with a transport protocol to obtain formatted data and ii) providing the formatted data to the network, the formatted data comprising a destination address field. The network is a programmable network comprising one or more forwarding nodes that are remotely controllable. In order to effect a multicasting of the formatted data, the one or more forwarding nodes are controlled to j) replicating the formatted data to obtain replicated formatted data, and jj) setting the destination address field of the replicated formatted data to an address originating from a further request for the unicast transmission of the data. An advantage of the system and method is that multicasting may be provided for 'off-the-shelf' unicast receivers.