Multicast delivery systems and methods
View Patent ↗The present invention is directed to systems and methods for efficient and effective multicast delivery over hub and spoke networks, including satellite-based hub and spoke networks. In one embodiment, a method of establishing a multicast connection with a plurality of receiving stations includes receiving with a gateway port a unicast connection, such as a TCP connection, from a sending station, mapping the unicast connection to a multicast connection on a first multicast group IP address, and initiating the multicast connection to a plurality of receiving stations. In alternative embodiments, the multicast connection is established over a satellite link, and/or is unidirectional.
1. A method of establishing a multicast connection with a plurality of receiving stations, said method comprising:
receiving a unicast, transport layer connection request from a sending station;
wherein the unicast connection request includes a transport layer port identifier;
establishing a unicast, transport layer connection with the sending station;
mapping, using the transport layer port identifier, said unicast, transport layer connection request to a multicast connection on a multicast group network address; and
initiating, in response to said unicast, transport layer connection request, said multicast connection to a plurality of receiving stations;
wherein the unicast, transport layer connection and the multicast connection provide for the detection and retransmission of lost or corrupted data;
wherein said multicast connection comprises a XTP connection.
2. The method as in claim 1 wherein said sending station comprises a computer.
3. The method as in claim 1 , further comprising establishing, at the plurality of receiving stations, a plurality of second unicast connections with a plurality of end stations.
4. The method as in claim 3 wherein said unicast connection with said sending station comprises a first transport layer protocol, said multicast connection comprises a second transport layer protocol, and said second unicast connection comprises said first transport layer protocol.
5. The method as in claim 1 wherein said unicast connection with said sending station comprises a first transport layer protocol and said multicast connection comprises a second transport layer protocol.
6. The method as in claim 1 further comprising establishing a plurality of second unicast connections, each of said second unicast connections between a different one of said plurality of receiving stations and one of a plurality of end stations.
7. The method as in claim 1 wherein said multicast connection comprises a connection via a satellite link.
8. The method as in claim 1 wherein said multicast connection comprises a unidirectional data transfer.
9. The method as in claim 1 wherein said unicast connection with said sending station comprises a TCP connection.