Multicast provision for high speed networks

With the advent of high speed packet networks capable of supporting integrated services, there is increasing scope for multi-party applications such as multi-media conferencing, file distribution, video distribution, real-time data collection and computer supported cooperative work. Such applications need to be properly supported by the network in order to encourage their development. This paper presents a layered framework offering the necessary support mechanisms at appropriate levels to make effective and efficient use of networking resources. Two aspects of multicast provision are then dealt with in more detail: first, multicast routing for networks of arbitrary topology and secondly, a flexible set of group management procedures.