Patent ID: 7468952
Filing Date: 2008-12-23
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of processing a broadcast message in an overlay network, the method comprising: receiving a broadcast message including an End ID from a sending node, wherein the End ID specifies a range of key values for finger nodes that should receive copies of the broadcast message; selecting an entry of a finger table, wherein the each entry of the finger table includes a reference to a finger node and a key value associated with the finger node; determining if there is a following entry of the finger table, wherein the following entry includes a key value adjacent to the key value of the selected finger table entry according to a node order; setting a new End ID to the key value associated with the following entry in response to the determination that there is a following entry of the finger table; setting a new End ID to the End ID of the received broadcast message in response to the determination that there is not a following entry of the finger table; comparing the key value of the selected finger table entry with the new End ID; and forwarding a copy of the broadcast message with the new End ID to the finger node of the selected entry in response to a determination that the key value of the selected finger table entry is within the range of key values specified by the new End ID.