Scalable diverse protected multicast as a programmable service leveraging IP-multicast

In this paper we introduce diverse protected multicast as a transparent programmable service. We embed common IP multicast data transport architectures in an adaptable programmable overlay network. Our approach transparently reduces the packet loss perceived by multicast receivers at the edge of the network through injection and transport of redundant data. We propose to build up - transparent to the applications at the edge of the network - redundant, alternate paths or alternate multicast distribution trees that are mostly edge- and vertex-disjoint. As performance of multicast applications depends also on the time the exchanged data between the applications needs - taking into account possible retransmissions - our approach improves basic quality of service for group communication protocols.