Path Selection In Streaming Video Over Multi-Overlay Application Layer Multicast

摘要

A method and a tool based on achievable bandwidth as a metric are provided for selecting paths for overlay construction in an application layer multicast system. An in-band bandwidth probing tool according to the invention can estimate achievable bandwidth, i.e., the data throughput that can be realized between two peers over the transport protocol employed. The tool can determine the amount of extra bandwidth available in the target network path so that excess data traffic can be diverted from congested path without causing new congestion in the target path.