Multicasting Multimedia Streams with Active Networks

Active networks allow code to be loaded dynamically into network nodes at run-time. This code can perform tasks specific to a stream of packets or even a single packet. In this paper we compare two active network architectures: the Active Node Transfer System (ANTS) and the Messenger System (M0). We have implemented a robust audio multicast protocol and a layered video multicast protocol with both active network systems. We discuss the differences of the two systems, evaluate architectural strengths and weaknesses, compare the runtime performance, and report practical experience and lessons learned.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 1998
• Where: LCN
• Authors: Albert Banchs, Wolfgang Effelsberg, Christian F. Tschudin, Volker Turau
• Keywords: Active Network, Active Node Transfer, Computer Networks, LCN 1998, Multicast Protocol