Patent ID: 8437351
Filing Date: 2013-05-07
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of transmitting multicast signals from a source to user terminals via multicast paths through a set of nodes in a network, comprising: sending a modified join message from a first node toward said source via a new multicast path, wherein the modified join message instructs at least one new intermediate node to establish a new multicast path upon receipt of a marked data packet; sending a modified prune message from the first node toward said source via an old multicast path, wherein the modified prune message instructs at least one old intermediate node to discontinue an old multicast path upon receipt of a marked data packet; detecting the reception of the modified join message and the modified prune message at a second node in said network; and steering the multicast traffic from said source to said user terminal from said old multicast path over to said new multicast path.