Abstract: An overlay protocol and system for allowing multicast routing in the Internet to be performed at the application level. The overlay protocol uses “native” Internet multicast and multicast routing protocols to route information, according to overlay routing tables. Overlay groups are mapped to native multicast groups to exploit native multicasting in regional or local forwarding domains. Use of the overlay protocol allows overlay distribution to be handled in a more intelligent and bandwidth-managed fashion. Overlay routers are placed at each of several local area networks, Internet service provider's point of presence, enterprise, or other cohesively-managed locations. The overlay computers are configured according to bandwidth and security policies, and perform application-level multicast distribution across the otherwise disjoint multicast networks by using the overlay routing. The result is an overlay multicast network that is effectively managed according to local network management policies.

Abstract: A proximity-oriented redirection system for service-to-client attachment in a virtual overlay distribution network. The virtual overlay distribution network includes addressable routers for routing packet traffic, wherein a packet of data is routed from a source node to a destination node based on address fields of the packet. The invention includes a redirector coupled to at least one of the addressable routers and includes: logic for accepting a service request from a client; logic for determining a selected server for handling the service request, the selected server being one of a plurality of servers that can handle the service request; and logic for generating a redirection message directed to the client for redirecting the service request to the selected server.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing a Multipoint Infrastructure Transport (MINT) protocol in a data network. The present invention includes a method for distributing data in a data network. The data network connects a plurality of nodes and at least a portion of the plurality of the nodes form a multicast group. One of the nodes in the multicast group is designated as a rendezvous node. The method includes a step of maintaining a data store containing a group state at each of the nodes in the multicast group. State updates, received at the rendezvous node are used to update the group state in the data store at the rendezvous node. The state updates are propagated, using a reliable protocol, from the rendezvous node to the other nodes in the multicast group. Finally, the group states in the data stores at the other nodes in the multicast group are updated.

Abstract: A system for classifying, monitoring, controlling and otherwise managing and allocating bandwidth of a network to data streams. A method for allocating bandwidth of a data network to a plurality of data streams is provided. The method comprises specifying apportionment of the bandwidth to a plurality of data classes. Receiving a plurality of data streams wherein each data stream has an associated data class. Negotiating a transfer rate for each data stream, wherein the transfer rate is limited to the bandwidth apportioned to the data class associated with each data stream and transmitting the data streams on the data network at the negotiated transfer rates.

Abstract: In a network interconnecting a plurality of content providers and a plurality of clients, for providing content to a client, each of the plurality of content providers is coupled to at least one content distribution network of a plurality of content distribution networks, wherein the client is coupled to at least one of the plurality of content distribution networks and a request for the content is sent from the client to a redirector node that receives requests, wherein a redirector at the redirector node provides an address for a server available to serve the requested content. When the client's content distribution network is a primary content distribution network for the content provider providing the requested content, redirecting the client to a server within the client's content distribution network.

Abstract: In a network, a query originator injects queries of network devices into the network at a query node using query messages. The network transports the query messages to the network devices, or to network nodes at which queries about the network devices can be answered. Query responses from the network devices or network nodes are directed through the network to a collection node or nodes. As an internal network node receives multiple query responses from network devices, the internal network node might aggregate, as needed, the multiple query responses into an aggregated query response that preferably occupies less bandwidth than the aggregated multiple query responses. Where the result desired at the collection node is a computed function of the multiple query responses, the computed function can be performed at each internal network node on the multiple query responses received at that node, thus distributing the computation needed to form a collected response to the query.

Abstract: In a network interconnecting a plurality of content providers and a plurality of clients, for providing content to a client, each of the plurality of content providers is coupled to at least one content distribution network of a plurality of content distribution networks, wherein the client is coupled to at least one of the plurality of content distribution networks and a request for the content is sent from the client to a redirector node that receives requests, wherein a redirector at the redirector node provides an address for a server available to serve the requested content. When the client's content distribution network is a primary content distribution network for the content provider providing the requested content, redirecting the client to a server within the client's content distribution network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing a Multipoint Infrastructure Transport (MINT) protocol in a data network. The present invention includes a method for distributing data in a data network. The data network connects a plurality of nodes and at least a portion of the plurality of the nodes form a multicast group. One of the nodes in the multicast group is designated as a rendezvous node. The method includes a step of maintaining a data store containing a group state at each of the nodes in the multicast group. State updates, received at the rendezvous node are used to update the group state in the data store at the rendezvous node. The state updates are propagated, using a reliable protocol, from the rendezvous node to the other nodes in the multicast group. Finally, the group states in the data stores at the other nodes in the multicast group are updated.

Abstract: An overlay protocol and system for allowing multicast routing in the Internet to be performed at the application level. The overlay protocol uses “native” Internet multicast and multicast routing protocols to route information, according to overlay routing tables. Overlay groups are mapped to native multicast groups to exploit native multicasting in regional or local forwarding domains. Use of the overlay protocol allows overlay distribution to be handled in a more intelligent and bandwidth-managed fashion. Overlay routers are placed at each of several local area networks, Internet service provider's point of presence, enterprise, or other cohesively-managed locations. The overlay computers are configured according to bandwidth and security policies, and perform application-level multicast distribution across the otherwise disjoint multicast networks by using the overlay routing. The result is an overlay multicast network that is effectively managed according to local network management policies.

Abstract: An overlay protocol and system for allowing multicast routing in the Internet to be performed at the application level. The overlay protocol uses “native” Internet multicast and multicast routing protocols to route information, according to overlay routing tables. Overlay groups are mapped to native multicast groups to exploit native multicasting in regional or local forwarding domains. Use of the overlay protocol allows overlay distribution to be handled in a more intelligent and bandwidth-managed fashion. Overlay routers are placed at each of several local area networks, Internet service provider's point of presence, enterprise, or other cohesively-managed locations. The overlay computers are configured according to bandwidth and security policies, and perform application-level multicast distribution across the otherwise disjoint multicast networks by using the overlay routing.

Abstract: A proximity-oriented redirection system for service-to-client attachment in a virtual overlay distribution network. The virtual overlay distribution network includes addressable routers for routing packet traffic, wherein a packet of data is routed from a source node to a destination node based on address fields of the packet. The invention includes a redirector coupled to at least one of the addressable routers and includes: logic for accepting a service request from a client; logic for determining a selected server for handling the service request, the selected server being one of a plurality of servers that can handle the service request; and logic for generating a redirection message directed to the client for redirecting the service request to the selected server.

Abstract: An overlay protocol and system for allowing multicast routing in the Internet to be performed at the application level. The overlay protocol uses “native” Internet multicast and multicast routing protocols to route information, according to overlay routing tables. Overlay groups are mapped to native multicast groups to exploit native multicasting in regional or local forwarding domains. Use of the overlay protocol allows overlay distribution to be handled in a more intelligent and bandwidth-managed fashion. Overlay routers are placed at each of several local area networks, Internet service provider's point of presence, enterprise, or other cohesively-managed locations. The overlay computers are configured according to bandwidth and security policies, and perform application-level multicast distribution across the otherwise disjoint multicast networks by using the overlay routing. The result is an overlay multicast network that is effectively managed according to local network management policies.

Abstract: A proximity-oriented redirection system for service-to-client attachment in a virtual overlay distribution network. The virtual overlay distribution network includes addressable routers for routing packet traffic, wherein a packet of data is routed from a source node to a destination node based on address fields of the packet. The invention includes a redirector coupled to at least one of the addressable routers and includes: logic for accepting a service request from a client; logic for determining a selected server for handling the service request, the selected server being one of a plurality of servers that can handle the service request; and logic for generating a redirection message directed to the client for redirecting the service request to the selected server.