Patent ID: 7519733
Filing Date: 2009-04-14
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method in a router, the method including: storing by the router a first routing table entry that specifies an address prefix, the address prefix corresponding to an aggregation level assigned to the router relative to a tree-based network topology within an aggregation realm of a content network, the address prefix having a prescribed prefix length; receiving by the router a packet from a parent router within the tree-based network topology of the content network via an egress interface of the router; determining by the router whether a destination address field of the packet has a destination address that specifies a prescribed pluricasting code at a prescribed location relative to the prescribed prefix length; selectively pluricasting the packet by the router to a plurality of destination routers within the tree-based network topology, via respective ingress interfaces, based on determining that the destination address field specifies the address prefix, and the prescribed pluricasting code at the prescribed location; receiving a registration request specifying a first mask, an argument, and a specified destination for a node; and storing a second routing table entry that specifies the first mask, the argument, the specified destination, and a masked address based on the first mask and the argument; the selectively pluricasting including forwarding the packet to the specified destination based on identifying a match between the masked address and a corresponding portion of the destination address; wherein the receiving of the registration request includes receiving the registration request from a child router via one of the ingress interfaces, the method further comprising forwarding the registration request to the parent router via the egress interface.