Loss differentiated multicast congestion control

A new layered multicast scheme known as loss differentiated multicast congestion control architecture is proposed to provide effective congestion control in heterogeneous multicast networks. It is comprised of two components, the random early detection assisted layered multicast (RALM) and the layer marking discovery protocol (LMDP). The RALM protocol utilises the packet marking and priority dropping mechanisms of the differentiated services architecture to differentiate losses in the layers of a layered multicast session. The LMDP protocol assists in the discovery of the optimal subscription levels to which packets of the layers should be marked. By marking the layers packets appropriately and dropping them differently during congestion, the RALM protocol guides receivers to their stable optimal subscription levels that satisfy their bandwidth requirements while providing multirate max–min fairness in the