An efficient distributed approach for dynamic multicast trees

Abstract

In this paper we present a distributed algorithm for constructing efficient multicast trees in large networks. The algorithm allows the set up of effective distribution trees using a coordination protocol among the network nodes. The algorithm has been implemented and extensively tested both in simulation, and on experimental networks. Performance evaluation indicates that our approach outperforms the state-of-the-art distributed algorithms for multicast tree setup, providing good levels of convergence time and communication complexity. Furthermore, we introduce a distributed technique for dynamically updating the multicast tree. The approach monitors the accumulated damage as nodes join or leave, and it triggers a "stirring" process that locally rearranges the tree, when its degradation exceeds a given threshold.