Data Multicasting in High Speed Multi-Service Networks.

摘要

The project focuses on architectural and protocol techniques for multicast transport of data in the evolving applications (such as video, audio, and graphics). The techniques allow creating a 'programmable network' that may be 'plugged - in' with QOS and flow parameters of data streams to instantiate the network behavior for matching the needs of each applications. The programmability of the network can allow reducing the deployment of communication resources (such as bandwidth) for supporting applications. This philosophy is in alignment with the evolving 'Internet Service Layer' functionalities. A canonical network substrate so created may then be employed to construct multicast transport services. A tree - structured channel in the network is used as building block for realizing multicast data transport. Data from different sources are multiplexed over a shared tree channel for reaching destinations through intermediate network nodes and links. The sharing of segments across multiple data streams allows reducing the overall fixed costs of maintaining 'connections' in the backbone network, and also offers the potential for reduced bandwidth allocation for bursty data flows due to statistical multiplexing' of these flows. We developed resource allocation protocols and routing algorithms for multicast networks, based on shared tree channels. The protocols were evaluated by modeling' and experimentation' activities on LANs and the ATM-based testbed NYNET at Rome Laboratory. Applications involving the distribution of video and audio data were developed to demonstrate the viability of the multicast network technology.