SE Router Multicast Control via Data Link Layer Switches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network layer devices face significant processing and bandwidth burdens when replicating and forwarding multicast streams to multiple subscribers, and struggle to differentiate and prioritize premium and non-premium streams effectively, leading to suboptimal Quality of Service (QoS) delivery.
Innovation Solution
A network layer device, such as a Service Edge (SE) router, controls data link layer functionality by dynamically configuring control objects in data link layer devices, allowing for efficient multicast stream replication and forwarding on a per-switch basis, and differentiates premium streams by delivering them on dedicated paths, while ensuring authorized access and QoS for subscribers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If SE routers replicate and forward multicast packets for each subscriber device, then subscribers can receive multicast streams, but processing and memory resources of routers are significantly consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the multicast delivery function by introducing data link layer devices (switches) that perform multicast elaboration. The SE router no longer handles individual subscriber replication, but instead delegates this to switches that maintain multicast filter information. This segmentation moves processing burden from network layer to data link layer, reducing router resource consumption while maintaining delivery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces data link layer switches as intermediary devices between SE routers and subscriber devices. These switches act as mediators that receive multicast streams from routers and perform the actual replication and forwarding to multiple subscribers based on filter information. This intermediary approach allows the router to avoid direct per-subscriber processing while ensuring proper stream distribution.
2Adaptability or versatility
If SE routers replicate multicast streams on a per-subscriber basis, then all subscribers can receive streams, but bandwidth on outbound network links is significantly consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple unicast streams into a single multicast stream at the data link layer switch. Instead of sending separate copies of the multicast stream to each subscriber (which would consume significant bandwidth), the switch receives one multicast stream from the router and replicates it only at the final delivery point to individual subscribers. This merging approach significantly reduces bandwidth consumption on outbound network links from the router.
3Reliability
If SE routers forward packets through QoS-engineered paths, then throughput according to QoS class is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent copies QoS profile information from the network layer to the data link layer. The SE router maintains QoS profiles for subscribers and packet flows, then copies relevant QoS parameters to the data link layer switch through control messages. This copying approach enables QoS enforcement at the data link layer without requiring complex QoS processing at the router, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable QoS delivery.
Data Source
AI summary
A network layer device controls provision of data link layer functionality by a data link layer device to provide a requested multimedia service to a subscriber. For example, the network layer device may control the performance of multicast elaboration by the data link layer device, or the queuing and forwarding of packets by the data link layer device to facilitate transmission of packets according to a Quality of Service class. The network layer device may send control messages to the data link layer device to dynamically configure a control object stored by the data link layer device, such as multicast filter information or a Quality of Service profile. The network layer device may be a service edge router, and the data link layer device may be a customer premises equipment device, e.g., a modem or wireless access point, or a switch, e.g., a digital subscriber line access multiplier.