Patent ID: 6023733
Filing Date: 2000-02-08
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A computer-readable medium embodying executable instructions for use in defining communication pathways in a computer network including a plurality of multicast subnetworks and a plurality of routing devices connecting the subnetworks, the instructions causing generation, in a source routing device, of a data structure defining pathways to at least some of the subnetworks, the data structure comprising:a. data specifying a root designating the source routing device;b. data specifying a plurality of nodes each designating a different subnetwork; andc. data specifying a plurality of arcs connecting the nodes, each arc corresponding to a routing device capable of transferring packets between the subnetworks designated by the nodes spanned by the arc,the source routing device being responsive to the data structure and selecting, based thereon, at least one routing path for transmission of address-bearing packets, the at least one path having a lowest associated cost or a smallest transmission load thereacross.