Dr. Multicast: Rx for Data Center Communication Scalability

Abstract

Data centers avoid IP Multicast because of a series of problems with the technology. We propose Dr. Multicast (the MCMD), a system that maps traditional IPMC operations to either use a new point-to-point UDP multisend operation, or to a traditional IPMC address. The MCMD is designed to optimize resource allocations, while simultaneously respecting an administrator-specified acceptable-use policy. We argue that with the resulting range of options, IPMC no longer represents a threat and could therefore be used much more widely.