Subject: [Bier] blocked based encoding and list based encoding for BIER

From: Albert Tian <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 6 Nov 2014 21:52:14 +0000

Hi,

We are looking at some possible improvements in the BIER encoding to better handle sparsely populated multicast groups in large networks. In these cases, the bigStrings would have very few ones in between many zeros.

We have two ideas, as described in the following two short drafts attached in this email. We would upload the drafts as soon as the tool opens.

1. Blocked based encoding

Essentially we divide the BitString into several blocks, one for each region in the network. We would only include the regions where we have receivers.

2. List based encoding

Here we directly encode the list of BFR-ids of the receivers in place of the BitString.

The associated packet processing is also included in the drafts.

We would like to socialize the ideas among the bier drinkers. Your feedback is really appreciated.

Cheers,
Albert