Abstract: Various systems and methods for performing bit indexed explicit replication (BIER). For example, one method involves receiving a packet at a node. The packet includes a bit string. The node selects forwarding information based on a flow value associated with the packet. The forwarding information includes a forwarding bit mask. The node then forwards the packet based on the bit string and the forwarding information.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for performing bit indexed explicit replication (BIER). For example, one method involves receiving a membership message that was generated by an egress router, where the membership message comprises information identifying a multicast group, and information identifying a plurality of egress routers. The method identifies at least one bit position in the membership message that is associated with the first egress router, where at least one bit position of the plurality of bit positions is associated with the first egress router. The method also records membership of the first egress router in the multicast group, where the membership is recorded in a bit of a group membership table, and the bit corresponds to the bit position identified in the membership message.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for performing bit indexed explicit replication (BIER) using multiprotocol label switching (MPLS). For example, one method involves receiving a packet that includes a MPLS label. The packet also includes a multicast forwarding entry. The method also involves determining, based on the value of the MPLS label, whether to use the multicast forwarding entry to forward the packet. The method further includes forwarding the packet.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer readable storage media for performing bit indexed explicit replication (BIER) are disclosed. One embodiment of a method includes obtaining, at an egress node of a network, a bit position assigned to the egress node. This embodiment also includes sending an outgoing advertisement to other nodes in the network, where the outgoing advertisement identifies the egress node and the assigned bit position. The bit position is within a bit mask comprising bits in a plurality of bit positions, and each bit position corresponds to a respective egress node of the network.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for performing bit indexed explicit replication (BIER) using multiprotocol label switching (MPLS). For example, one method involves receiving a packet that includes a MPLS label. The packet also includes a multicast forwarding entry. The method also involves determining, based on the value of the MPLS label, whether to use the multicast forwarding entry to forward the packet. The method further includes forwarding the packet.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for performing bit indexed explicit replication (BIER) using multiprotocol label switching (MPLS). For example, one method involves receiving a packet that includes a MPLS label. The packet also includes a multicast forwarding entry. The method also involves determining, based on the value of the MPLS label, whether to use the multicast forwarding entry to forward the packet. The method further includes forwarding the packet.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for performing bit indexed explicit replication (BIER) using multiprotocol label switching (MPLS). For example, one method involves receiving a packet that includes a MPLS label. The packet also includes a multicast forwarding entry. The method also involves determining, based on the value of the MPLS label, whether to use the multicast forwarding entry to forward the packet. The method further includes forwarding the packet.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer readable storage media for performing bit indexed explicit replication (BIER) are disclosed. One embodiment of a method includes obtaining, at an egress node of a network, a bit position assigned to the egress node. This embodiment also includes sending an outgoing advertisement to other nodes in the network, where the outgoing advertisement identifies the egress node and the assigned bit position. The bit position is within a bit mask comprising bits in a plurality of bit positions, and each bit position corresponds to a respective egress node of the network.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for performing bit indexed explicit replication (BIER). For example, one method involves receiving a membership message that was generated by an egress router, where the membership message comprises information identifying a multicast group, and information identifying a plurality of egress routers. The method identifies at least one bit position in the membership message that is associated with the first egress router, where at least one bit position of the plurality of bit positions is associated with the first egress router. The method also records membership of the first egress router in the multicast group, where the membership is recorded in a bit of a group membership table, and the bit corresponds to the bit position identified in the membership message.

Abstract: Methods, devices and program instructions are disclosed for performing bit indexed explicit replication (BIER) including fast reroute capability. One embodiment of a method includes receiving, from an egress node of a BIER network, an advertisement at a forwarding node, where the advertisement identifies a mapping of the egress node to a bit position of a packet bit string to be carried by a packet through the network. The embodiment further includes generating or updating a primary entry for the egress node in a bit indexed routing table (BIRT) for the forwarding node, and determining whether a backup entry for the egress node is to be included in the BIRT. In response to a determination that a backup entry is to be included, the embodiment further includes generating or updating the backup entry in the BIRT.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer readable storage media for performing bit indexed explicit replication (BIER) are disclosed. One embodiment of a method includes receiving, at an ingress node of a network, a data packet comprising a multicast group identifier. This embodiment also includes obtaining, from a group membership table, a bit mask corresponding to the multicast group identifier. The bit mask comprises a plurality of bit positions, and each bit position corresponds to a respective egress node of the network. The embodiment also includes encapsulating the data packet with the bit mask and forwarding the encapsulated data packet using the bit mask.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for performing bit indexed explicit replication (BIER). For example, one method involves receiving a membership request at a node. The membership request is received from a host and the membership request identifies a multicast group. In response to receiving the membership request, the node generates a membership message. The membership message includes information identifying the multicast group and information identifying the node. The node transmits the membership to an overlay participant that stores a bit string associated with the multicast group.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for performing bit indexed explicit replication (BIER) using multiprotocol label switching (MPLS). For example, one method involves receiving a packet that includes a MPLS label. The packet also includes a multicast forwarding entry. The method also involves determining, based on the value of the MPLS label, whether to use the multicast forwarding entry to forward the packet. The method further includes forwarding the packet.

Abstract: Methods, devices and program instructions are disclosed for performing bit indexed explicit replication (BIER) including fast reroute capability. One embodiment of a method includes receiving, from an egress node of a BIER network, an advertisement at a forwarding node, where the advertisement identifies a mapping of the egress node to a bit position of a packet bit string to be carried by a packet through the network. The embodiment further includes generating or updating a primary entry for the egress node in a bit indexed routing table (BIRT) for the forwarding node, and determining whether a backup entry for the egress node is to be included in the BIRT. In response to a determination that a backup entry is to be included, the embodiment further includes generating or updating the backup entry in the BIRT.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for performing bit indexed explicit replication (BIER). For example, one method involves receiving a packet at a node. The packet includes a bit string includes information identifying a plurality of destinations. The node selects an entry in a bit indexed forwarding table (BIFT). The BIFT includes both a primary path entry and a backup path entry. The node forwards the packet based on information in the entry.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer readable storage media for performing bit indexed explicit replication (BIER) are disclosed. One embodiment of a method includes receiving, at an ingress node of a network, a data packet comprising a multicast group identifier. This embodiment also includes obtaining, from a group membership table, a bit mask corresponding to the multicast group identifier. The bit mask comprises a plurality of bit positions, and each bit position corresponds to a respective egress node of the network. The embodiment also includes encapsulating the data packet with the bit mask and forwarding the encapsulated data packet using the bit mask.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for performing bit indexed explicit replication (BIER). For example, one method involves receiving a packet at a node. The packet includes a bit string includes information identifying a plurality of destinations. The node selects an entry in a bit indexed forwarding table (BIFT). The BIFT includes both a primary path entry and a backup path entry. The node forwards the packet based on information in the entry.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for performing bit indexed explicit replication (BIER). For example, one method involves receiving a membership request at a node. The membership request is received from a host and the membership request identifies a multicast group. In response to receiving the membership request, the node generates a membership message. The membership message includes information identifying the multicast group and information identifying the node. The node transmits the membership to an overlay participant that stores a bit string associated with the multicast group.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for performing bit indexed explicit replication (BIER). For example, one method involves receiving a packet at a node. The packet includes a bit string. The node selects forwarding information based on a flow value associated with the packet. The forwarding information includes a forwarding bit mask. The node then forwards the packet based on the bit string and the forwarding information.