Abstract: A method and system of performing IP multicast includes a client at one of many downstream networks that sends a request signal to an upstream network via a return channel (e.g., the Internet), and the upstream network sends the request to a media server. The media server, and for live data, a media encoder, processes a media stream to generate a real-time IP multicast communication that is output to a unidirectional satellite that transmits the IP multicast communication to the client without delay via the downstream network, and can convert the IP multicast to unicast. The bidirectional return channel allows the source to calculate billing information based on client usage statistics, and transmits confirmation acknowledgement based on a confirmation request from the upstream network. Because the routing configuration is transparent to the rest of the network, the invention applies to multi-hop networks on both sides of the satellite link.

Abstract: A method and system of communication between an IP backbone Internet Service Provider (ISP) and remote Internet service providers via a shared channel on a satellite is provided. At a first router coupled to the IP backbone ISP, a static route for an IP packet of the IP backbone ISP is determined based on a media access control (MAC) address of a destination router of the IP packet. The IP packet is encapsulated and transported in a frame having the MAC address of the destination router based on the static route. Next, the frame/IP packet is received in a second router coupled to the remote ISP, which either drops the IP packet prior to reaching the remote ISP, or transports the IP packet to a final destination in the remote ISP, based on the MAC address of the IP packet destination and a MAC address of the second router.

Abstract: A method and system of performing IP multicast includes a client at one of many downstream networks that sends a request signal to an upstream network via a return channel (e.g., the Internet), and the upstream network sends the request to a media server. The media server, and for live data, a media encoder, processes a media stream to generate a real-time IP multicast communication that is output to a unidirectional satellite that transmits the IP multicast communication to the client without delay via the downstream network, and can convert the IP multicast to unicast. The bidirectional return channel allows the source to calculate billing information based on client usage statistics, and transmits confirmation acknowledgement based on a confirmation request from the upstream network. Because the routing configuration is transparent to the rest of the network, the invention applies to multi-hop networks on both sides of the satellite link.