The Multidriver: a reliable multicast service using the Xpress transfer protocol

A unique multicast service that exploits features in the next-generation, real-time transfer layer protocol, the Xpress transfer protocol (XTP), is described. As a modular part of the service interface routines, the multicast facility, the Multidriver, exploits features in XTP in order to provide two multicast services, one unreliable and one reliable. In its reliable mode the service offers error, flow, and rate-controlled multidestination delivery of arbitrary-sized messages, with provision for the coordination of reliable reverse channels. Performance measurements on a single-segment Proteon ProNET-4 4-Mb/s 802.5 token ring with heterogeneous nodes are discussed.<>