Patent attributes
An IP network includes a network resource manager having a resource utilization map adapted to manage network resources in an IP network and an application framework having elements for receiving a request for a multicast distribution from a client in the IP network, and elements for requesting network resources from a network resource manager for a Media Quick Start, to start the requested multicast distribution. Further, the network resource manager includes elements for providing the application framework with feedback information relating to network resource availability from the network resource manager, and the application framework includes elements for receiving the feedback information and elements for allowing the Media Quick start or to use another behavior to start the requested multicast distribution based on the received feedback information.