Scalable Reliable Multicast Using Erasure-Correcting Re-sends
Jim Gemmell · 1997
Reliable multicast schemes often cannot scale to large receiver sets due to the problems of state explosion and message implosion. In this paper we propose Erasure Correcting Scalable Reliable Multicast, ECSRM. ECSRM is based on the SRM framework proposed by Floyd et. al., which utilizes NACK suppression to reduce message implosion. ECSRM makes a number of modifications to SRM to addressed enhanced scalability and rate control. Most notably, instead of resending lost packets, erasure-correcting encoded packets are sent in response to NACK messages. Introduction There are many instances in which it is desirable to deliver the same data to a number of receivers across a network. Popular "push" technology is focused on distributing news articles, stock quotes and the like to many subscribers. Other examples of applications that can utilize multipoint communication included multi-party video-conferencing, software updates, and multiplayer gaming. IP multicast is an excellent means of tra...