Patent ID: 7542426
Filing Date: 2009-06-02
Classification: H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for broadcasting packets through a computer network including a plurality of nodes, the method comprising steps of: assigning topology-dependent costs to a network feature selected from a group consisting of nodes in the network and links between nodes in the network; determining routes between all of the nodes in the network using the topology-dependent costs assigned to the network feature; forwarding packets from an originating node along routes from the originating node to all other nodes in the network, whereby packets from the originating node are broadcast throughout the network, where the step of forwarding packets is performed by steps of: determining whether all of the nodes in the network have the packet; determining whether a current node is the broadcasting node; when the current node is the broadcasting node, broadcasting the packet; when the current node is not the broadcasting node, determining whether the current node already received this packet via a minimum spanning tree link in the past;