Blocking analysis and optimized design of a class of circuit-switched multicast networks

We present a blocking analysis and optimized design method for a wide-area multicast videoconferencing service which interconnects subscriber locations via circuit-switched DS-1 multicast control units (MCUs). Optimization leads to a configuration of MCUs in which the end-to-end blocking of random multicast traffic meets a target specification with a minimum total number of MCUs. The analytical model is validated by a detailed network emulation. The analysis and simulator are intended for use in a planning system to support operation of the planned multicast services.