Patent ID: 9203736
Filing Date: 2015-12-01
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A computer implemented method for a multicast edge network element guaranteeing resilient multicast traffic stream processing of only a last hop of a multicast traffic stream towards a multicast receiver, wherein the multicast edge network element is coupled with a first and second multicast core network element each capable of forwarding packets of an equivalent multicast traffic stream to the multicast edge network element and each is situated between a source of the multicast traffic stream and the multicast edge network element, comprising: separately joining through a first and second interface of the multicast edge network element the equivalent multicast traffic streams from the first and second multicast core network element respectively; processing packets of the multicast traffic stream received at the first interface from the first multicast core network element, and while the first interface is receiving those packets uninterrupted, dropping packets of the equivalent multicast traffic stream received at the second interface from the second multicast core network element; upon interruption of receipt of the packets of the multicast traffic stream at the first interface, transitioning to processing the packets of the equivalent multicast traffic stream subsequently being received at the second interface from the second multicast core network element; and following an end of the interruption of the receipt of the packets of the multicast traffic stream at the first interface and upon receiving packets of the multicast traffic stream on the first interface from the first multicast core network element, transitioning to performing the following, processing the packets of the multicast traffic stream received on the