Patent Document

TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to networked communications and, more particularly, to dynamic connection admission control to enforce dynamic service level agreements in multicast networks. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In networking systems, networking entities perform information forwarding, forwarding entry learning, and aging out of forwarding entries. Some quality-of-service mechanisms exist in switching and networking systems to design and configure packet networks to provide low latency and guaranteed delivery for data streams dependent upon continuous data service, such as video. Quality-of-service mechanisms may be designed to deal with traffic that has already entered the network such that the mechanisms cannot stop additional traffic from entering the network. Connection access control may be provided to stop additional traffic from entering the network. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, a switch includes a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, a multicast forwarding table implemented in the memory, and one or more network interfaces. The one or more network interfaces are configured to receive a request for multicast data, and forward the received request to an upstream network destination. The processor is configured to determine a group identifier associated with the received request for multicast data, determine an available upstream bandwidth and an available downstream bandwidth, add an entry for the identified group into the multicast forwarding table, allocate bandwidth from the available upstream bandwidth and available downstream bandwidth, and cause the received request to be forwarded to the upstream network destination. The allocated bandwidth corresponds to bandwidth required by the requested multicast data. If no response is received in response to the received request within a designated timeout period, the processor is configured to remove the entry for the identified group in the multicast forwarding table, and restore the allocated bandwidth to the available upstream bandwidth and available downstream bandwidth. 
     In another embodiment, a method for networked communications includes determining a group identifier associated with a received request for multicast data, determining an available upstream bandwidth and an available downstream bandwidth, adding an entry for the identified group into a multicast forwarding table, allocating bandwidth from the available upstream bandwidth and available downstream bandwidth, the allocated bandwidth corresponding to bandwidth required by the requested multicast data, and forwarding the received request to an upstream network destination. The method includes, if no response is received in response to the received request within a designated timeout period, removing the entry for the identified group in the multicast forwarding table, and restoring the allocated bandwidth to the available upstream bandwidth and available downstream bandwidth. 
     In yet another embodiment, an article of manufacture includes a computer readable medium and computer-executable instructions carried on the computer readable medium. The instructions are readable by a processor. The instructions, when read and executed, cause the processor to determine a group identifier associated with a received request for multicast data, determine an available upstream bandwidth and an available downstream bandwidth, add an entry for the identified group into a multicast forwarding table, allocate bandwidth from the available upstream bandwidth and available downstream bandwidth, the allocated bandwidth corresponding to bandwidth required by the requested multicast data, and forward the received request to an upstream network destination. The processor is further caused to, if no response is received in response to the received request within a designated timeout period, remove the entry for the identified group in the multicast forwarding table, and restore the allocated bandwidth to the available upstream bandwidth and available downstream bandwidth. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present invention and its features and advantages, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an example of a networking system based upon a switch configured to forward information between networks, computing entities, or other switching entities; 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of the operation of more than one switch working together in a networking system to dynamically calculate Connection Admission Control requirements, allow or deny multicast requests, and prune allocated bandwidth; and 
         FIG. 3  is an example embodiment of a method for enforcing service level agreements in metro multicast core networks using multicast Connection Admission Control. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is an example of a networking system  100  based upon a switch  102  configured to forward information between networks, computing entities, or other switching entities. In one embodiment, networking system  100  may be configured to provide dynamic service level agreement (“SLA”) enforcement in metro multicast core networks using Internet Group Management Protocol (“IGMP”) snooping and Connection Admission Control (“CAC”). Switch  102  may be configured to selectively forward information, such as packets, frames, cells, or other data, in a network, between such entities as upstream switch  114  and downstream switch  112 , as well as more distant entities such as source server  116  or subscribers  118 . Switch  102  may be configured to receive a request of information from source server  116  from downstream switch  112  that originating from subscribers  118 . Upon receipt, switch  102  may be configured to calculate CAC bandwidth usage dynamically, reserve space for resultant traffic on upstream  122  and downstream links  120 , pass the request upstream, and, if no IGMP group query response to the request is returned within the time for response, or if not multicast data traffic for requested multicast group is received, deallocate the reserved space. Otherwise, switch  102  may be configured to reply to the IGMP group query, reply to IGMP protocol messages in the standard way, or simply may send received traffic downstream. Thus, switch  102  may be configured to dynamically enforce SLA required capabilities while maximizing the usage of available bandwidth. 
     Switch  102  may contain an upstream interface card  110 , which may be used to communicatively couple the switch to one or more network destinations. For example, in networking system  100  switch  102  may be communicatively coupled to upstream switch  114  through an interface on upstream interface card  110 . Such interfaces may include a port. Likewise, switch  102  may be communicatively coupled to source server  116  through legacy metro Ethernet switch  114 . Upstream interface card  110  and upstream switch  114  may be communicatively coupled through upstream link  122 . Although  FIG. 1  is shown as an example embodiment of networking system  100 , additional embodiments may contain other suitable configurations of the upstream network communicatively coupled to switch  102 , including other network entities such as switches, routers, backbones, or servers for sending information between switch  102  and an upstream network entity such as source server  116 . 
     Switch  102  may contain a downstream interface card  108 , which may be used to communicatively couple the switch to one or more network destinations. For example, in networking system  100  switch  102  may be communicatively coupled to downstream switch  112  through an interface or port on downstream interface card  108 . Likewise, switch  102  may be communicatively coupled to subscriber  118  through downstream switch  112 . Downstream interface card  108  and downstream switch  112  may be communicatively coupled through downstream link  120 . Although  FIG. 1  is shown as an example embodiment of networking system  100 , additional embodiments may contain other suitable configurations of the downstream network communicatively coupled to switch  102 , including other network entities such as switches, routers, backbones, or servers for sending information between switch  102  and a downstream network entity such as subscriber  118 . 
     Upstream interface card  110  and downstream interface card  108  may be implemented in line cards. Upstream interface card  110  and downstream interface card  108  may be implemented in any suitable manner to create the embodiments described in this disclosure. In one embodiment, upstream interface card  110  and downstream interface card  108  may each be implemented in a module including electronic circuitry, processors, and/or memory for handling communications. Upstream interface card  110  and downstream interface card may each be configured to both send and receive information through upstream  122  and downstream  120  data links, respectively. Upstream interface card  110  and downstream interface card  108  may each contain ports through which multiple connections are made to the rest of the network. Upstream interface card  110  and downstream interface card  108  may be configured to exchange, for example, packets, cells, or frames of information with each other to forward information upstream or downstream. Where multiple instances of such interface cards exist, or each such interface card contains multiple ports, upstream interface card  110  and downstream interface card  108  may be configured to route such information through a switching fabric. Upstream interface card  110  and downstream interface card  108  may include network interfaces configured to forward and receive network traffic as described in this disclosure. Such network interfaces may include a port. 
     Each interface on card  110  and card  108  may be associated with a CAC value. The CAC value may represent the capacity of the upstream or downstream network interface according to the techniques used in CAC to estimate whether a network link can sustain an additional connection. The CAC value may be determined by processor  106 , or another suitable portion of switch  102 . In one embodiment, such a CAC value may be stored with the respective interface card. In another embodiment, such a CAC value may be stored in a database that contains CAC values for all interfaces of a card or of the switch  102 . In yet another embodiment, such a CAC value may be stored elsewhere in the switch, such as in memory  108 . CAC values may be measured, for example, in megabits-per-second (Mbps), gigabits-per-second (Gbps), or in any other suitable set of units. In one embodiment, the CAC value may represent the capacity of the network link between switch  102  and the next network entity, such as upstream switch  114  or downstream switch  112 . 
     The designation of a particular interface card as an “upstream” interface card  110  or “downstream” interface card  108  is shown for illustrative purposes of the particular elements shown in  FIG. 1 , wherein a subscriber  118  will typically request multicast information from a source server  116 . However, in some embodiments the interface cards of switch  102  as shown may reverse roles as necessary, wherein interface card  108  may forward and receive information with an upstream network destination and interface card  110  may forward and receive information with a downstream network destination. Likewise, the designation of particular elements of the network to which switch  102  is communicatively coupled as “upstream” or “downstream” may change depending upon the requestor and source entity. Further, in some embodiments one of interface cards  108 - 110  may be configured to serve as both an upstream and a downstream interface card, wherein such an interface card contains multiple ports, and one port is communicatively coupled to a downstream portion of the network and another is communicatively coupled to an upstream portion of the network. Likewise, a line card may have both upstream and downstream interfaces or ports. In such a case, data between interfaces located on the same line card may still be switched through the switching fabric. 
     Source server  116  may be implemented in any configuration capable of providing data in response to a request for information over a network. In one embodiment, such a request may be a multicast request, and the data provided may be a multicast data stream. Subscribers  118  may be network entities, users, or other requestors of information from source server  116 . 
     Upstream switch  114  and downstream switch  112  may be implemented in any suitable switch, router, or other network entity for forwarding information between a network destination and switch  102 . In one embodiment, upstream switch  114  and downstream switch  112  may be implemented in legacy metro Ethernet switches. In another embodiment, upstream switch  114  and downstream switch  112  may be implemented in an embodiment of switch  102  itself. Upstream switch  114  and downstream switch  112  may be configured to forward and receive information between switch  102  and network destinations such as source server  116  and subscribers  118 . 
     Upstream data link  122  and downstream data link  120  may be implemented in any network data link suitable for transporting data between switches. Upstream data link  122  and downstream data link  120  may be measured in terms of Mbps, Gbps, or any other suitable unit of measure. 
     Switch  102  may include a processor  106  coupled to a memory  108 . Processor  106  may comprise, for example, a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any other digital or analog circuitry configured to interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data. Processor  106  may interpret and/or execute program instructions and/or process data stored in memory  108 . Memory  108  may comprise any system, device, or apparatus configured to hold and/or house one or more memory modules. Each memory module may include any system, device or apparatus configured to retain program instructions and/or data for a period of time (e.g., computer-readable media). 
     Processor  106  may be coupled to upstream interface card  110  and downstream interface card  108 . Processor  106  may be configured to control the switching fabric that controls the exchange of outbound and inbound information between ports on the interface cards. Processor  106  may be configured to dynamically calculate the CAC values of the interfaces based on the operation of networking system  100  as described herein. 
     Switch  102  may include a multicast forwarding table  104 . Processor  106  may be coupled to multicast forwarding table  104 . Multicast forwarding table  104  may include communication and forwarding information regarding network entities connected to ports of the interface cards of switch  102 . Multicast forwarding table  104  may include information regarding a multicast data group whose identity has been learned by switch  102  and may be configured to receive multicast data from a server through switch  114 . Multicast forwarding table  104  may include information about which ports of switch  102  may be utilized to access a server of multicast data, or, conversely, deliver traffic to an identified multicast data stream receiver. In one embodiment, multicast forwarding table  104  may be implemented in memory  108 . In another embodiment, multicast forwarding table  104  may be implemented in one or more interface cards of switch  102 . Switch  102  may be configured to populate or depopulate multicast forwarding table according to the descriptions given herein, based in part upon the calculations of CAC values in conjunction with service level agreements (“SLAs”), the bandwidth available, the requests for multicast data streams, and the results of those requests. Switch  102  may be configured to determine the bandwidth requirements and/or other aspects required by an SLA governing one or more services provided by switch  102 . 
     Switch  102  may be configured to communicate with any suitable network entity to receive and send information such as frames, packets, cells, or other data. Such network entities may include, for example, a computer, router, switch, network device, subnetwork or network. In one embodiment, switch  102  may be implemented as a metro Ethernet switch. 
     In operation, switch  102  may receive a request for a data from a downstream network entity. In one embodiment, such a request may include a request for a multicast data stream. In such an embodiment, the request may be implemented in an IGMP Join message. In one example, the request may be for an IPTV data stream. Such a request may arrive from downstream switch  112 , and originate from a subscriber  118 . For example, subscriber A may make a request for a multicast data stream with a multicast group ID of 229.5.7.9. 
     Switch  102  may determine the level of service required by an SLA, under which switch  102  is to provide networking services. Such a level of service may include bandwidth availability, uptime, or other indicators of quality of service. Switch  102  may determine the availability of bandwidth according to CAC, such as the CAC value, at the downstream interface on card  108  connected to downstream switch  112 . Such a CAC value may be evaluated in relation to the required service levels as designated under the SLA. Such a CAC value may be determined in part by the network capacities available between switch  102  and a requesting entity. Switch  102  may determine whether downstream transmission of the requested information, such as a multicast data stream, would exceed the available bandwidth as shown by the CAC value of the downstream interface on card  108  connected to downstream switch  112 . For example, if the request associated with 229.5.7.9 requires 0.5 Mbps, and the CAC value of the downstream interface link is 1.0 Mbps, then the downstream transmission may be accomplished. If the downstream transmission of the requested information would exceed the available bandwidth as shown by the CAC value of the downstream link on card  108 , then no action may be taken with regards to sending a reply message to the requestor indicating a failure to support the transmission. 
     Similarly, switch  102  may determine the availability of bandwidth according to CAC, such as the CAC value, at the upstream interface on card  110 . Such a CAC value may also be evaluated in relation to the required service levels as designated under the SLA. Such a CAC value may be determined in part by the network capacities available on the link  122  between switch  102  and the next hop, or networking device  114  towards the source of the information, such as source server  116 . Switch  102  may determine whether transmission of the requested information from the upstream components, such as a multicast data stream, would exceed the available bandwidth as shown by the CAC value of the upstream interface card  110 . For example, if the request associated with 229.5.7.9 requires 0.5 Mbps, and the CAC value of the upstream link  122  on interface card  108  corresponding to a valid route to the source server  116  is 4.0 Mbps, then the transmission may be accomplished. If the transmission of the requested information would exceed the available bandwidth as shown by the CAC value of the upstream link  122  interface card  108 , then no action may be taken by switch  102 , indicating a failure to support the transmission. 
     If switch  102  determines that sufficient capacity in both upstream and downstream links exists to support transmission of the requested data stream, then switch  102  may reserve bandwidth according to bandwidth requirements for the requested multicast group. Such a reservation may be implemented by lowering the CAC values available at upstream interfaces on card  110  and downstream interfaces on card  108 . For example, if the multicast data stream requested by subscriber  118  requires 0.5 Mbps, then such a value may be subtracted from the CAC values of upstream interface on card  110 —leaving 3.5 Mbps—and from downstream interface on card  108 —leaving 0.5 Mbps. 
     If switch  102  determines that sufficient capacity in both upstream and downstream links exists to support transmission of the requested data stream, then switch  102  may communicate a request to upstream network entities. In one embodiment, switch  102  may forward an IGMP Join request upstream. The IGMP Join request may indicate a request for a multicast data stream to be delivered to a particular subscriber. The request may be forwarded through the upstream network interface. For example, switch  102  may send a request for a multicast data stream for the group ID 229.5.7.9, and a request for a multicast data stream for the group ID 230.6.8.10, to upstream switch  114 , which may, depending upon the implementation of upstream switch  114 , attempt to forward the requests upstream, possibly eventually reaching source server  116 . 
     If switch  102  determines that sufficient capacity in both upstream and downstream links exists to support transmission of the requested data stream, then switch  102  may add a temporary entry into multicast forwarding table  104  corresponding to the information requested. In one embodiment, switch  102  may add a temporary entry with a group ID corresponding to a requested multicast data stream. For example, an entry corresponding to a group with an ID of 229.5.7.9 may be added to multicast forwarding table  104 . In another example, an entry corresponding to a request to a group with an ID of 230.6.8.10 may be added to multicast forwarding table  104 . In one embodiment, switch  102  may temporarily add the entry to multicast forwarding table  104 . In such an embodiment, switch  102  may designate the entry added to multicast forwarding table  104  as temporary. Such a designation may be implemented, for example, in a field of the entry in multicast forwarding table  104 , or in any other suitable data structure accessible by processor  106 . In another embodiment, the temporary basis of an entry added to multicast forwarding table  104  may be implemented by denoting the time at which the entry was added, which may be used for comparison at a later time as described below. 
     Switch  102  may wait for a response from source server  116  regarding the request for information. A positive response from the upstream portions of the network may be, for example, an acceptance of the original request, an IGMP Querier-initiated request for information about the original request or requesting entities in the form of a group specific IGMP Query, or packets of information of the requested data stream itself coming from the source server  116 . In one example, an IGMP Querier-initiated request for more information may include an IGMP Group Specific query message. In another example, the packets of information of the requested data stream itself may arrive at upstream interface card  110 , ready to be forwarded to the requesting network entity. Occurrence of any one of these two events may be treated as a confirmation that the request forwarded by switch  102  to the upstream networking device has been accepted. 
     A negative response from the upstream portions of the network may, for example, be no response at all, a denial from source server  116 , or a denial from an upstream network device such as upstream switch  114 . In the case of no response, a request may be determined as not responded to if a timeout length of time has passed since the request was passed to the upstream portions of the network. In one embodiment, such a timeout may be sixty seconds. In another embodiment, such a timeout may set according to the maximum time expected for on IGMP Group Specific Query to be made. In such an embodiment, the timeout may be set to be sixty seconds. 
     If switch  102  receives a positive response from upstream regarding the requested information, then switch  102  may change the associated temporary entry in multicast forwarding table  104  into a regular entry, which is then processed using standard multicast protocol rules. The designation of an entry as regular may still be subject to other rules for entries in such forwarding tables, such as deletion after an aging-out period using standard multicast protocol rules. Switch  102  may make the associated entry regular by, for example, changing the temporary designation associated with the entry to a regular designation. In various embodiments, switch  102  may forward a received IGMP Group Specific Query or may forward packets of information of the requested data stream downstream towards the requestor. For example, if traffic for 222.5.7.9 is received at switch  102 , then such traffic may be forwarded to downstream switch  112 . In another example, if an IGMP Group Specific Query for 229.5.7.9 is received at switch  102 , then it is forwarded to the appropriate network destination, such as subscriber A. In either such example, the entry in multicast forwarding table  104  may be made regular. 
     If switch  102  does not receive a positive response—for example, by receiving no response at all within a designated time period—then switch  102  may remove the associated temporary entry in multicast forwarding table. Further, switch  102  may deallocate the bandwidth previously allocated to accommodate the requested information. Switch  102  may deallocate such bandwidth by adjusting or recalculating the CAC values associated with the paths to and from the data sources and requestors. For example, if no response arrives for the request associated with group 230.6.8.10 within sixty seconds, then switch  102  may remove the entry for group 230.6.8.10 from multicast forwarding table  104 , reallocate 0.5 Mbps from both the CAC values of downstream interface on card  108  and upstream interface on card  110 . Downstream switch  112 , if implemented in a manner similar to switch  102 , may repeat the same process independently of deleting temporary entries from its own multicast forwarding tables and reclaiming the allocated bandwidth. 
     Consequently, switch  102  may be capable of dynamically computing the CAC value for a multicast request. Degradation of service for existing subscribers of a multicast data stream, such as subscriber A in  FIG. 1 , may be prevented by intelligently handling an additional request that would overburden the bandwidth capacity. If traffic arrives at switch  102  in response to the multicast request, switch  102  may be already configured to successfully forward such traffic downstream without errors due to bandwidth constraints. Switch  102  may thus be capable to dynamically reserve bandwidth, as well as prune CAC bandwidth allocated for IGMP Join requests which may be denied upstream. Thus one advantage of particular embodiments of the present disclosures is solving stale bandwidth allocation issues related to requests within one IGMP Query duration, which may be denied at any point within a long multicast request path. Switch  102  may thus be capable of working with existing multicast protocols, without changes to such protocols to accommodate the described features of switch  102 . Switch  102  may thus be capable of interfacing with other protocol compliant switches, whether or not such switches are implemented in the same way as switch  102  with the features described herein. Consequently, switch  102  may be able to act in a self-contained way, based on its capacity to interpret the protocol-compliant actions and messages of other network entities in networking system  100 . 
     Operations for an IGMP Leave message received by switch  102  may act as the reverse of an IGMP Join message. If a multicast group ID is removed in response to an IGMP Leave message, then the CAC bandwidth previously allocated for that group may be reclaimed and added to the available CAC bandwidth for both upstream and downstream links. This process may be repeated on all network entities along the path of IGMP Leave message. Thus switch  102  may be configured to enforce SLAs and ensure that no additional connection requests will be allowed if CAC bandwidth is unavailable to support the connection. 
     In addition, as shown in  FIG. 2 , additional benefits may be derived from a network made up of multiple instances of switch  102 . 
       FIG. 2  is an illustration of the operation of more than one switch  102  working together in a networking system  100  to dynamically calculate CAC requirements, allow or deny multicast requests, and prune allocated bandwidth. Switch A may be communicatively coupled to Switch B. Switches A and B may be implemented in embodiments of switch  102 . Initially, the calculated CAC bandwidth downstream of Switch B may be eight Gbps; the bandwidth between Switch A and Switch B may be 4 Gbps; and the bandwidth upstream of Switch A may be two Gbps. 
     At time t 1 , a request associated with Group X may arrive at Switch B, with a request for a multicast data stream requiring one Gbps. Switch B may determine whether sufficient CAC bandwidth exists upstream and downstream of Switch B to support the request. Since such sufficient bandwidth exists, the one Gbps requirement may be allocated and thus removed from the available CAC bandwidth downstream of Switch B and upstream between Switches A and B. The request may then be sent to Switch A, which also determines whether sufficient bandwidth exists, allocates the CAC bandwidth, and sends the request upstream. Thus, the available bandwidth upstream of Switch A may be one Gbps, between Switch A and Switch B may be three Gbps, and downstream of Switch B may be seven Gbps. Temporary entries associated with Group X may be made in the multicast forwarding tables of Switch A and Switch B. 
     At time t 2 , traffic associated with group X may be sent from upstream to Switch A in response to the previous request. The traffic may be forwarded from Switch A to Switch B, and then further downstream to the requestor. If such traffic was received during the designated timeout period, then entries associated with group X may be made regular in Switch A and Switch B. The CAC bandwidth required for transmitting such traffic may be made already allocated, and thus may not require changing. 
     At time t 3 , a request associated with Group Y may arrive at Switch B, with a request for a multicast data stream requiring one Gbps. Switch B may determine whether sufficient CAC bandwidth exists upstream and downstream of Switch B to support the request. Since such sufficient bandwidth exists, the one Gbps may be allocated and thus removed from the available CAC bandwidth downstream of Switch B and between Switches A and B. The request may then be sent to Switch A, which also determines whether sufficient bandwidth exists, allocates the CAC bandwidth, and sends the request upstream. Thus, the available bandwidth upstream of Switch A may be zero Gbps, between Switch A and Switch B may be two Gbps, and downstream of Switch B may be six Gbps. Temporary entries associated with Group Y may be made in the multicast forwarding tables of Switch A and Switch B. The multicast data traffic may immediately start flowing from the source to Switch A, then to Switch B, which then reaches the requestor of Group Y. 
     At time t 4 , no positive response may have been received at Switch A and Switch B with regards to the request associated with Group Y. No response may be been received within the designated timeout period, or a denial or error may have been received. Switch A and Switch B may each independently determine that the request has failed. The entries associated with Group Y may be removed from the multicast forwarding tables of Switch A and Switch B within one IGMP Query interval. The CAC bandwidth allocated for Group Y may be deallocated so as to be available for use by other multicast data streams. Thus, the available bandwidth upstream of Switch A may be one Gbps, between Switch A and Switch B may be three Gbps, and downstream of Switch B may be seven Gbps. 
     At time t 5 , a request associated with Group Z may arrive at Switch B, with a request for a multicast data stream requiring two Gbps. Switch B may determine whether sufficient CAC bandwidth exists upstream and downstream of Switch B to support the request. Since such sufficient bandwidth exists, the two Gbps may be allocated and thus removed from the available CAC bandwidth downstream of Switch B and between Switches A and B. An entry for Group Z may be made in the multicast forwarding table of Switch B. Thus the available bandwidth upstream of Switch A may be one Gbps, between Switch A and Switch B may be one Gbps, and downstream of Switch B may be five Gbps. 
     At time t 6 , the request for Group Z may have arrived at Switch A, which may determine that insufficient CAC bandwidth is available to support the required two Gbps multicast data stream requested for Group Z. Since the request failed upstream, Switch B might not receive an IGMP Query message from upstream nor the multicast data for multicast Group Z, so Switch B may deallocate the bandwidth allocated for Group Z, and remove the temporary entry created in its multicast forwarding table. Thus, the available bandwidth upstream of Switch A may be one Gbps, Switch A and Switch B may be three Gbps, and downstream of Switch B may be seven Gbps. 
       FIG. 3  is an example embodiment of a method  300  for providing dynamic SLA enforcement in metro multicast core networks using IGMP snooping and CAC. In step  305 , a request for information such as a multicast data stream may be received from a downstream requestor. Such a request may be an IGMP Join request. In step  310 , the downstream and upstream CAC bandwidth may be calculated. Such calculations may be performed, for example, using the available data links to the source and requestor of the data, the required service levels according to an SLA, and to CAC bandwidth already designated for other data streams. 
     In step  315 , it may be determined whether sufficient CAC bandwidth is available upstream and downstream to support the requested data. If there is not sufficient CAC bandwidth, then no information, such as multicast data or an IGMP Query, may be sent downstream. In step  325 , a downstream network entity that fails to receive such information within an expected duration may process the absence of such information. The downstream network entity may also be performing an embodiment of method  300 . If so, the recipient may be operating step  355  of the method, wherein a response is expected regarding the request. 
     If sufficient CAC bandwidth is available upstream and downstream, then in step  330  a temporary entry is created in a multicast forwarding table. The entry may correspond to the group for which the data is requested. The entry may be made temporary by designating it as such in a field of the table, a separate data structure, or by noting the time upon which the request was received via a timestamp. In step  335 , the bandwidth required to support the requested data may be reserved from the available upstream and downstream CAC. In step  340 , the request may be forwarded upstream towards the source of the data. In step  345 , the upstream recipient, such as a switch, may be begin processing the request. The recipient may also be performing an embodiment of method  300 . If so, the recipient may be operating step  305 , wherein a request for data is received. 
     In step  350 , a response to the request may be waited upon. In step  355 , it may be determined whether packets of the requested data or a positive response was received within a designated timeout period. In one embodiment, the timeout period may be set to one minute. In another embodiment, the positive response may be in the form of an IGMP Group Specific Query sent in response to the IGMP Join request. In yet another embodiment, instead of such data or positive response, no response or a negative response may have been received. If data or a positive response was not received, then in step  360  the temporary entry created in the multicast forwarded table may be removed, and in step  365  the allocated CAC capacity may be released. Subsequently, a downstream switch may continue processing, as in step  325 . 
     If data or a positive response was received within the timeout period, then the method may proceed to step  375 . In step  375 , an IGMP Group Specific Query, or other request for more information, may be forwarded downstream. In some instances, such a request or query may be replied to, instead of forwarded, depending upon the nature of the query. In step  380 , if traffic was received, it may be forwarded downstream. In step  385 , the downstream recipient of such forwarded information from steps  375  or  380  may continue processing the received information. The recipient may also be performing an embodiment of method  300 . If so, the recipient may be operating step  355 , wherein a response is expected regarding the request. In step  390 , a multicast forwarding table entry associated with the requested information may be made regular and removed using regular IGMP protocol rules. 
     Although  FIG. 3  discloses a particular number of steps to be taken with respect to example method  300 , method  300  may be executed with more or fewer steps than those depicted in  FIG. 3 . In addition, although  FIG. 3  discloses a certain order of steps to be taken with respect to method  300 , the steps comprising method  500  may be completed in any suitable order. Method  300  may be initiated multiple times, and steps of one instance of the operation of method  300  may lead to or arise from steps of another instance of the operation of method  300 . 
     Method  300  may be implemented using the system of  FIGS. 1-2 , or any other system, network, or device operable to implement method  300 . In certain embodiments, method  300  may be implemented partially or fully in software embodied in computer-readable media. 
     For the purposes of this disclosure, computer-readable media may include any instrumentality or aggregation of instrumentalities that may retain data and/or instructions for a period of time. Computer-readable media may include, without limitation, storage media such as a direct access storage device (e.g., a hard disk drive or floppy disk), a sequential access storage device (e.g., a tape disk drive), compact disk, CD-ROM, DVD, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and/or flash memory; as well as communications media such wires, optical fibers, and other tangible, non-transitory media; and/or any combination of the foregoing. 
     Although the present disclosure has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made hereto without departing from the spirit and the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Technology Category: 5