Internet2 Multicast Working Group Goals for 2008

1. Encourage Source-Specific Multicast (SSM).
   • Why? Because MSDP won't scale and doesn't exist in IPv6.
   • How? Work with Internet2 corporate members, other vendors, and freeware producers and content providers (e.g. ostn.tv) to make their products SSM-capable. Primarily this means IGMPv3 support in
     1. end-system OSes (XP and Linux are done. MacOS X and other BSDs are not done.)
     2. black boxes (e.g. VBrick)
     3. client software (e.g. Real Player, Windows Media Player, StreamPlayerII, etc. Note that VLC already does SSM.)
     4. switches
2. Collect and disseminate multicast testing and debugging tools. Much of this has been done already, but the tool list needs to be cleaned up and extended.
3. Continue to deliver training through Hands-On Workshops. See "Deliverables" below.
4. IPv6 Multicast:
   1. Work with the Internet2 IPv6 Working Group to bridge IPv6 and multicast workshop content.
   2. Encourage use of embedded RP in Abilene and other R&E networks.
   3. Make sure the toolset for IPv4 multicast also works for IPv6 multicast.
   4. Work with switch vendors to encourage and evaluate MLDv2 support.
5. Work with related working groups and other organizations.
   1. IETF MAGMA
   2. ResearchChannel Internet2 Working Group
   3. Internet2 WGs and SIGs: IPv6, Measurement, etc.
   4. Security group(s)
   5. International R&E groups
   6. OSTN
6. Push commodity ISP adoption of multicast routing.
   1. Talk to the ISPs and try to convince them of the value.
   2. Work through the Quilt and the gigaPoPs to make multicast routing a requirement for ISP contracts. Highlight those ISPs that already offer multicast peering.
   3. Talk to home access provider ISPs to encourage multicast support, so our residential broadband users see the same benefit as our on-campus users.
7. Work with faculty to get multicast coverage into network engineering courses.
8. Clean up the multicast.internet2.edu web site.

Deliverables

1. Workshops
   • Conventional IPv4 multicast
   • IPv4 multicast in conjunction with IPv6 unicast workshops
   • IPv6 multicast
   • Joint workshops with the ResearchChannel Internet2 Working Group
2. Cookbook wiki
3. Updated web site