CastFlow: Clean-slate multicast approach using in-advance path processing in programmable networks

Multipoint communication is an important requirement for many types of applications such as videoconferencing, IPTV and online radio. However, the division of Internet in autonomous systems hinders the widespread adoption of traditional multicast protocols, which, for using distributed algorithms, delay the group control events processing. This paper proposes a multicast clean-slate approach logically centralized based on programmable networks and anticipated processing for all routes from each possible source, aiming to reduce event delays. A prototype was implemented based on OpenFlow technology. In addition, extensive evaluation was performed and results show promising delays comparable to the requirements of multipoint applications.