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Method and system for intelligently forwarding multicast packets

  • US 7,389,359 B2
  • Filed: 10/19/2001
  • Issued: 06/17/2008
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2001
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for handling a control message in a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN), the method comprising:

  • receiving a control message at a layer 2 switch of said VLAN, said control message sent by a layer 3 router;

    determining if the control message establishes shared source distribution trees or explicit source distribution trees;

    updating a source-group data structure using information from the control message, the source-group data structure containing data regarding a multicast group, if the control message establishes shared source distribution trees;

    adding an outgoing port index to said source-group data structure, said outgoing port index identifying a port that received the control message if the control message establishes shared source distribution trees;

    deriving an explicit source lookup key from the control message if the control message establishes explicit source distribution trees;

    retrieving an outgoing port index associated with an entry in a session data structure, said entry corresponding to said explicit source lookup key if the control message establishes explicit source distribution trees; and

    updating an outgoing lookup table entry corresponding to said outgoing port index with information regarding designated devices in said multicast group indicated by the control message if the control message establishes explicit source distribution trees.

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