Patent ID: 7372853
Filing Date: 2008-05-13
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for multicasting data packets, comprising: receiving a multicast data packet at a first node in a branch of a point-to-multipoint Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) connection tree, the branch including a plurality of destination nodes and an intermediate node having a plurality of connection interfaces; receiving one or more resource reservation protocol (RSVP) requests from the first node at the intermediate node for delivery of the multicast data packet, each of the one or more RSVP requests requesting an establishment of a first unicast tunnel between the first node and the intermediate node; in response to the one or more RSVP requests, establishing only one first unicast tunnel for delivery of the multicast data packet; establishing a plurality of second unicast tunnels each connecting each destination node to the intermediate node, wherein each second unicast tunnel corresponds to a particular one of the connection interfaces; receiving the multicast data packet at the intermediate node and through the only one first unicast tunnel, the multicast data packet having a label identifying all of the second unicast tunnels; comparing the label to a multicast table stored in a second node, the multicast table identifying the connection interfaces of the second node associated with the label; and forwarding the data packet to the destination nodes through the identified connection interfaces.