Abstract: The invention is based on a highly efficient protocol for the delivery of high-quality multimedia communication services, such as video multicasting, video on demand, real-time interactive video telephony, and high-fidelity audio conferencing over a packet-switched network. The invention addresses the silicon bottleneck problem and enables high-quality multimedia services to be widely uses. The invention can be expressed in a variety of ways, including methods, systems, and data structures. One aspect of the invention involves a method in which a packet (10) of multimedia data is forwarded through a plurality of logical links in a packet-switched network using a datagram address contained in the packet (i.e., datagram address-based routing). The datagram address operates as both a data link layer address and a network layer address.

Abstract: The invention is based on a highly efficient protocol for the delivery of high-quality multimedia communication services, such as video multicasting, video on demand, real-time interactive video telephony, and high-fidelity audio conferencing over a packet-switched network. The invention can be expressed in a variety of ways, including methods, systems, and data structures. One aspect of the invention involves a method in which a packet (10) of multimedia data is forwarded through a plurality of logical links in a packet-switched network using a datagram address contained in the packet (i.e., datagram address-based routing). Address information in partial address subfields of the datagram address self-directs the packet through a plurality of top-down logical links (70). (The plurality of top-down logical links are a subset of the plurality of logical links.) The packet remains unchanged as it is transferred along multiple links in the plurality of logical links.

Abstract: A process is provided for broadband Ethernet multicasting in a computer communication network whereby a multicasting service is established enabling multiusers to share a common multicasting address.

Abstract: A process is provided for broadband Ethernet data flow control in a computer communication network.

Abstract: A process is provided for broadband Ethernet to transmit digital video information in a computer communication network using means to control video orders. The transmission flow is: Video data in→buffer A→data packing and sending→broadband Ethernet→data receiving and unpacking→buffer B→video data out wherein buffer A and buffer B are used to hold temporary video data.