The authors show that the problem of optimally routing multicast streams can be formulated as an integer programming problem. They propose an efficient solution technique, composed of two parts: (i) an extension to the decomposition principle, to speed up the linear relaxation of the problem, and (ii) enhanced value-fixing rules, to prune the search space for the integer problem. They characterize the reduction in run time gained using these techniques. Finally, they compare the run times for the optimum multicast routing algorithm and for existing heuristic algorithms.>

The goals and basic node configuration of STARNET, an optical broadband local area network based on a physical passive star topology, are presented. Over a single physical network, STARNET offers all users both a moderate-speed packet network and a high-speed WDM circuit interconnect. Several topological and protocol solutions based on these two data transport facilities are available to the users. An ongoing experimental effort aimed at the realization of a STARNET prototype is described. The prototype nodes are FDDI and SONET OC-48 data-format-compatible. The first four network layers will be fully implemented and the nodes will serve high performance workstations.>