Segment-based application level multicast (SALM) for supporting group communication in CSCW applications

This paper illustrates an application level multicast architecture -segment-based application level multicast (SALM). The SALM partitions the shared multicast tree into segments and creates control mesh group (CMG) composed of segment leaders. SALM, in accordance with estimations of intra-segment and inter-segment interactions, dynamically adjusts the sizes of the segments and the configuration of CMG to improve the perceived performance in a collaborative working environment and a relatively stable shared multicast tree structure. The main purpose of CMG is to improve users' performance when they interact with CSCW applications.