Implementation of a Reliable Multicast Protocol
Weijia Jia · Software Practice and Experience · 1997
A reliable multicast protocol (RMP) based on a logical token ring approach can achieve agreement of a group of operational processes in distributed systems. The structure of RMP is modulated into component protocols that achieve total ordering, atomicity of multicast messages; dynamic group configuration and fault-tolerance cooperatively. RMP uses a virtual token to order multicast messages in a logical process ring. It is highly efficient over networks and its algorithm design and implementation are presented. The use of a state machine approach simplifies this complex system implementation. Experience and lessons drawn from RMP and general techniques applied to group communication protocol are also described. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.