XCAST6: eXplicit multicast on IPv6

Abstract

XCAST6: eXplicit Multicast on IPv6 is a new type of multicast datagram delivery system that enables multipoint visual communications, the killer-applications of the next-generation Internet. In the last decade, using the current scheme of group-address multicast, a good number of useful applications was developed and tested. However, the deployment of the multicast was very slow. XCAST6 solves these problems embedding an explicit list of destinations into the extension routing header of the IPv6 datagram. Intermediate routers may duplicate and forward the datagram only searching one's unicast routing tables. Moreover, using a semi-permeable capsule technique, users can ensure the reachability of the datagram. Deploying a very few number of XCAST6 routers, we could have operated the multi-point video conference trial on the academic IPv6 network among Japan, North America and Korea to prove employability and usefulness of XCAST6. © 2003 IEEE.