Distributed Event-signaling in Ambient Networks Based on IP-multicast

"Event signaling" (or "event notification") is a widely used approach to enable cooperation and synchronization among relevant control functions in various communication networks, where a control function, i.e. the event-publisher, detects an event and signals/notifies all other concerned control functions, i.e. the event-subscribers, about that event by sending them a dedicated common message containing all related event-information. Currently, event signaling/notification techniques are based on centralized approaches and rely on the static existence and the flawless function of central notification service entities. The more and more dynamic and flexible properties of various self-contained autonomous networks, like Ambient Networks, make it difficult to always ensure the prerequisites of applying such centralized event signaling approaches and demand more flexible distributed approaches without requiring any significant supports of any central service entities. This document proposes such a flexible and dynamic distributed approach of event signaling based on the standard IP-multicast technology.