Hamming distance and hop count based classification for multicast network topology inference

Topology information of a multicast network benefits significantly to many applications such as resource management, loss and congestion recovery. In this paper we propose a new algorithm, namely binary hamming distance and hop count based classification algorithm (BHC), to infer multicast network topology from end-to-end measurements. The BHC algorithm identifies multicast network topology using hamming distance of the sequences on receipt/loss of probe packets maintained at each pair of nodes and incorporating the hop count available at each node. We analyze the inference accuracy of the algorithm and prove that the algorithm can obtain accurate inference at higher probability than previous algorithms for a finite number of probe packets. We implement the algorithm in a simulated network and validate the algorithm's performance in accuracy and efficiency.