Abstract: A system, device, and method are provided to control dense-mode multicast traffic across a multilayer system containing an upper network and a tunnel across a lower network. An upstream multicast tunneling edge device (MTED) may indicate to downstream MTEDs, via control messages, the presence of a multicast source, group (SG) pair. The MTEDs may serve as routers or as intelligent bridges in the upper network. Each downstream MTED may create a forwarding state for the SG pair, determine tunnels for which the downstream MTED is to serve as an exit device and configure the tunnels to deliver the traffic. Lower network MTEDs of a tunnel may determine whether to transport multicast data for each SG pair such that multicast traffic routed by a corresponding MTED is carried. An MTED may be able to receive, through the tunnel, multicast traffic for one SG pair even after pruning itself for another SG pair.

Abstract: A system, device, and method are provided to control dense-mode multicast traffic across a multilayer system containing an upper network and a tunnel across a lower network. An upstream multicast tunneling edge device (MTED) may indicate to downstream MTEDs, via control messages, the presence of a multicast source, group (SG) pair. The MTEDs may serve as routers or as intelligent bridges in the upper network. Each downstream MTED may create a forwarding state for the SG pair, determine tunnels for which the downstream MTED is to serve as an exit device and configure the tunnels to deliver the traffic. Lower network MTEDs of a tunnel may determine whether to transport multicast data for each SG pair such that multicast traffic routed by a corresponding MTED is carried. An MTED may be able to receive, through the tunnel, multicast traffic for one SG pair even after pruning itself for another SG pair.

Abstract: A modified protocol independent multicast (M-PIM) routing protocol is an improvement to protocol independent multicast (PIM) routing protocol. M-PIM is optimized for use with at least one low bandwidth multi-hop network. The improvement comprises at least one modification to PIM that facilitates the transport of multicast traffic in a multi-layer routing system.

Abstract: The present invention, which may be embodied in or carried out by various components of a data communications network, provides an improved criterion for tearing down network links. The invention allows network components to take into account the quality, status and performance of other network links, as well as the overall performance of the network, when deciding whether to remove a failing network from service.