A multicasting scheme using multiple MCSs for reducing end-to-end path delay in ATM networks

In this paper, we surveyed existing implementation experiences related to multicast address resolution server (MARS) and multicasting server (MCS) supporting IP multicast over an ATM network. We also proposed two models, fully multiple MCS model and hybrid multiple MCS model, to support multiple MCSs over a single large cluster in ATM networks, and evaluated the performance of the fully multiple MCS model by simulation. When an ATM host requests joining a specific multicast group, the MARS designates a proper MCS among the multiple MCSs for the group member to minimize the average path delay between the sender and the group members. This scheme constructs a two-phase partial multicast tree based upon the shortest path algorithm. We reduced the average path delay in the multicast tree using this scheme with various cluster topologies and MCS distribution scenarios, and also distributed load uniformly among multiple MCSs.