Patent ID: 6163810
Filing Date: 2000-12-19
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method for managing the exchange of information between a multicast host and a unicast host, comprising the steps of:a. receiving a multicast session request from the unicast host;b. determining if a first multicast-unicast gateway is designated to serve as the multicast-unicast interface for the unicast host; andc. if the first multicast-unicast gateway is not designated to serve as the multicast-unicast interface for the unicast host, then:i. sending a unicast host identifier to a second multicast-unicast gateway;ii. if a designation message including an identifier of a multicast-unicast gateway that is designated for the unicast host is received at the first multicast-unicast gateway, then sending a redirect message from the first multicast-unicast gateway to the unicast host that includes an identifier of the designated multicast-unicast gateway; andiii. if a designation message is not received at the first multicast-unicast gateway, then determining the identity of a default multicast-unicast gateway that is designated to serve as the multicast-unicast gateway for the unicast host.