Patent ID: 6046989
Filing Date: 2000-04-04
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A multicast connection management system in a packet data communication network provided with a multicast server for providing a multicast service, comprising:a plurality of target user connection management table means provided for subscribing multicast service users so as to register target addresses and circuit information of target users assigned the target addresses, in such a manner as to relate each of the target addresses to the corresponding circuit information;an originating user management table means for registering the circuit information of the subscribing multicast service users and pointers for indicating one of said plurality of target user connection management table means in such a manner as to relate each of the pointers to the corresponding circuit information;registration means for searching, in response to a request issued from the subscribing multicast service user for registration of multicast connection with one of the target addresses, the originating user management table means for the circuit information of a circuit carrying the request, so as to retrieve the pointer indicating one of said plurality of target user connection management table means, and for registering a requested target address specified by the request and the circuit information of the target user assigned the requested target address, in the target user connection management table means indicated by the pointer;transmission means for transmitting, when the subscribing multicast service user supplies user data, said user data to the target user assigned the target address registered in said target user connection management table means indicated by the pointer obtained by searching said originating user management table means.wherein said registration means registers the target address and the circuit information of the subscribing multicast service user issuing the request, in addition to the requested target address and the circuit information of the target user assigned the requested target address; andregistration deletion means for deleting, in response to a request issued from the subscribing multicast service user for cancellation of the multicast connection, the target address of the multicast connection and the circuit information of the target user assigned the target address of the multicast connection, from the target user connection management table means indicated by the pointer.