INTERNET - DRAFT for Multicast Transport Protocols

Generic Router Assist (GRA) is a network-based service that enables end-to-end multicast transport protocols to take advantage of information distributed across the network elements in a given multicast distribution tree. The service consists of a canonical set of simple functions which network elements may apply to selected packets in the transport session as they traverse the distribution tree. The choice of function and the packet parameters to which it is applied can be defined and customized for a given transport session in a highly controlled fashion that still permits enough flexibility for GRA to be used to address a wide range of multicast transport problems not Cain/Speakman/Towsley [Page 1] INTERNET-DRAFT Generic Router Assist 22 October 1999 amenable to end-to-end solution. This document provides the motivation and an architecture for GRA. Cain/Speakman/Towsley [Page 2] INTERNET-DRAFT Generic Router Assist 22 October 1999