Multicast and Semi-FIFO Protocols over Virtual Rings in the MetaNet

This talk demonstrates the virtue of embedding virtuid rings, in deflection networks like Metaxet [2, 3, 4, 11 by two protocols: (i) asynchronious broadcast/multicast and (ii) semiF I F 0 reliable transmission. The problem solved in the broadcast protocol is how multiple nodes can broadcast concurrently, in an asynchronous manner, to all other nodes. Asynchronous means that the nodes do not coordinate their broadcast, and therefore, it is possible that all nodes will start to broadcast at the same time. Simultaneous broadcast 'by many nodes can cause traffic congestion, which can result in high packet/cell loss. The main property of this broadcast algorithm is that under any arbitrary pattern there will be no packet/cell loss due to internal traffic congestion. The semi-FIFO is a protocol for reliable transmission of data where there is no FIFO requirement on the routing of data units, and only the control messages of the protocol should maintain FIFO order. It is shown how the semi-FI[FO property can be obtained in deflection routing, with guarantee convergence along a global sense o:f direction, as proposed in the MetaNet architecture. The protocol is simple and uses only one timer per connection and does not require an estimate of the round trip delay in order to perform correctly. The dynamic self-routing on the MetaSet is a variant of deflectzon routtng. It makes on-line routing decisions based on the local flow of traffic (load conditions). Unlike other deflection techniques, the MetaNet routing is along a global s e n s e of ditectzon, which guarantees that packets/cells will reach their destinations. Thus, we call this method convergence ro u t t ng.