High-throughput multi-multicast transfers in data center networks

It is usual that the applications executed in data centers require the distribution of the same data from one node to others at various execution points and that some of them require to cope with multiple of these diffusions in parallel. Multicast-based communications are an alternative solution to sending data efficiently to multiple nodes. This paper proposes a novel technique which offers reliability and congestion control in the multi-multicast transfers in data center networks. The proposal is based on: (1) a new congestion control mechanism, which monitors the control information of the receivers, reducing the server injection rate, (2) taking advantage of the switch diffusion hardware, and (3) using IGMP snooping, which allows a network switch to multicast a packet just to the output links with host receivers joined to a multicast group. The implementation is made at user level and uses the UDP interface. Evaluation tests are performed in a CentOS-based cluster composed of 12 servers in the presence of multiple diffusions at the same time. Test results show improvements in the global bandwidth, avoid network saturation, and reduce overhead included by unicast communications in data transmission.