Multicast tree discovery using 802.1ag
US8750299B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 9, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jun 10, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 20, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L45/66
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus provide for a network device(s) employing tree tracer processing of a data packet(s) and/or a response(s) in order to discover and graphically represent all the paths within a hierarchical tree of network devices for multicast traffic flows. Specifically, a first network device receives a data packet. The data packet provides a multicast target MAC address. The first network device forwards the data packet to a plurality of network devices, where each of the plurality of the network devices belong to a multicast group identified according to the multicast target MAC address. Based on receipt of the data packet, the first network device generates and transmits a first response to a source of the data packet. The first response indicates a placement of the first network device with respect to a hierarchical tree of the plurality of network devices belonging to the multicast group.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.