Multicast routing over unidirectional links
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- receiving, from a network device, a first multicast protocol control message via a unidirectional link, whereinthe first multicast protocol control message is a multicast protocol hello message;
in response to receiving the first multicast protocol control message, extracting addressing information from the first multicast protocol control message;
storing the extracted addressing information in a multicast adjacency state, whereinthe multicast adjacency state is associated with an interface coupled to receive messages from the network device via the unidirectional link, whereinthe extracted addressing information identifies a network address of the network device; and
sending a second multicast protocol control message to the network device via a bidirectional path, whereina destination address of the second network multicast protocol control message is the network address in the multicast adjacency state andthe second multicast protocol control message is sent in response to the first multicast protocol control message.
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Abstract
Various systems and methods are disclosed for performing multicast routing over unidirectional links. For example, one method involves maintaining a multicast adjacency state, which is associated with an interface that is coupled to receive messages from a network device via a unidirectional link. The multicast adjacency state identifies a network address of the network device. The method also involves sending a multicast protocol control message to the network device via a bidirectional path. The destination address of the network multicast protocol control message is the network address in the multicast adjacency state.
23 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving, from a network device, a first multicast protocol control message via a unidirectional link, wherein the first multicast protocol control message is a multicast protocol hello message; in response to receiving the first multicast protocol control message, extracting addressing information from the first multicast protocol control message; storing the extracted addressing information in a multicast adjacency state, wherein the multicast adjacency state is associated with an interface coupled to receive messages from the network device via the unidirectional link, wherein the extracted addressing information identifies a network address of the network device; and sending a second multicast protocol control message to the network device via a bidirectional path, wherein a destination address of the second network multicast protocol control message is the network address in the multicast adjacency state and the second multicast protocol control message is sent in response to the first multicast protocol control message. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system comprising:
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a first network device; a second network device; a unidirectional link coupling the first network device to the second network device; and a bidirectional path coupling the first network device to the second network device, wherein the second network device is configured to; receive a multicast protocol control message sent from the first network device via the unidirectional link, wherein the multicast protocol control message is a multicast protocol hello message; extract a unicast destination address from the multicast protocol control message received via the unidirectional link; and send a reply message, in response to receipt of the multicast protocol control message via the unidirectional link; a destination address of the reply message is the unicast destination address extracted from the multicast protocol control message, and the reply message is sent to the first network device via the bidirectional path. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A network device comprising:
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a send-only interface configured to be coupled to a unidirectional link; a multicast RPF routing table entry corresponding to the send-only interface, wherein the multicast RPF routing table entry comprises a first metric, and the first metric identifies an infinite efficiency associated with a route comprising the unidirectional link, wherein the infinite efficiency indicates that the route is not used for multicast RPF routing; and a unicast routing table entry corresponding to the send-only interface, wherein the unicast routing table entry comprises a second metric, and the second metric identifies that a finite efficiency is associated with the route comprising the unidirectional link, wherein the finite efficiency indicates that the route is used for unicast routing. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A network device comprising:
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a receive-only interface configured to receive messages from a unidirectional link; a bidirectional interface configured to send and receive messages on a bidirectional link; and a routing module coupled to the receive-only interface and to the bidirectional interface, wherein the routing module is configured to extract a unicast destination address from a first multicast protocol control message received via the receive-only interface, wherein the first multicast protocol control message is a multicast protocol hello message, the routing module is configured to send a second multicast protocol control message from the bidirectional interface, the second multicast protocol control message is sent in response to the first multicast protocol control message, and a destination address of the second multicast protocol control message is the unicast destination address extracted from the first multicast protocol control message. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A system comprising:
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means for extracting addressing information from a first multicast protocol control message, wherein the first multicast protocol control message is a multicast protocol hello message; means for storing the extracted addressing information in a multicast adjacency state, wherein the multicast adjacency state is associated with an interface coupled to receive messages from a network device via a unidirectional link, wherein the multicast adjacency state identifies a network address of the network device; and means for sending a second multicast protocol control message to the network device via a bidirectional path, wherein a destination address of the second network multicast protocol control message is the network address in the multicast adjacency state, and the second multicast protocol control message is sent in response to the first multicast protocol control message.
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Specification