Applying multicast protocols and VPN tunneling techniques to achieve high quality of service for real time media transport across IP networks
As prior art systems fail to produce end-to-end transport and routing mechanisms capable of secure, accurate, and timely delivery of real-time media, the present invention prescribes the method and process to facilitate server-less, IP based sessions across all of public and private network infrastructure without regard for network hardware or carrier makeup. The method and process claimed herein defines the application of well known standards in a unique fashion so as to facilitate transportation of TCP and UDP packets associated with a real-time multicast session in a secure manner while achieving unencumbered access through firewalls and across multiple carrier, public networks through IPSec based virtual networking.
1. A method for data transport on an IP network, the method comprising:
creating one or more virtual private networks to transport the data;
wherein the creating of one or more virtual private networks uses tunneling methods using one or more multicast routing protocols on the ends of each virtual private network tunnel;
attaching a multicast address to a single application payload then routing the transport of the application payload to multiple remote clients through the virtual private network tunnels; and
wherein the tunnel creation, tear-down and multicast group address assignment may be instantiated in a software application running locally on the client system.
2. The method of claim 1 :
wherein said instantiated software my operate within said one or more tunnels; wherein one or more tunnels may encompass hardware multicast routers in said one or more interconnect topologies.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
multicast routers coordinating the delivery of multicast packets from senders to receivers;
wherein said routers may or may not be located at the said application payload creation or termination site.
4. The method of claim 3 :
wherein client or host computers connect via multiple interconnect topologies including but not limited to peer-to-peer, hub and spoke, or meshed systems.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
using encryption to encapsulate the media data such that said public network devices can not manipulate, discriminate or control the transport delay of said application payload between tunnel end points.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
using the method as applied to endpoints, ingress/egress network access points and network hardware infrastructures.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising;
multiple peers that reply to a multicast/VPN instance;
wherein packets are forwarded to the next network hop without duplication;
wherein the next hop of the egress point of the said virtual private network represents multiple endpoints;
wherein said packets are duplicated at the said egress point for forwarding to each of the multiple peers.