Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for synchronizing multicast state in a cluster of network devices, such as network switches. For example, a method may include receiving a multicast control packet by an edge port of a first switch of a cluster comprising a plurality of switches; processing the multicast control packet by the first switch to update a local multicast state; manipulating the multicast control packet to insert a unique identifier associated with the edge port, resulting in a manipulated version of the multicast control packet; and forwarding, by the first switch of the cluster, the manipulated version of the multicast control packet to at least one other switch of the cluster via an inter-chassis link that couples the first switch and the at least one other switch.

Abstract: A computer network device (such as a switch or a router) that implement a passive snooping communication protocol is described. During operation, the computer network device may receive an instance of a message from a second computer network device in a network via a port (such as a router port) associated with a link between the computer network device and the second computer network device. Based at least in part on the received instance of the message, the computer network device may identify the port as being a type of port (such as a passive neighbor port and a non-edge port in the network), and may not forward the instance of the message to one or more additional computer network devices via one or more additional ports (such as one or more additional router ports).

Abstract: A computer network device (such as a switch or a router) that implement host tracking is described. During operation, the computer network device may receive a report message that is associated with a host, which indicates that the host wants to join a group in a network that receives an audio-video channel from a source. In response, the computer network device may add information associated with the host to a group data structure associated with one or more hosts in the group. Then, when the computer network device receives a leave message that is associated with the host, the computer network device may remove or deactivates the host from the group data structure. Moreover, when the group data structure is empty or has no active hosts, the computer network device may stop forwarding the audio-video channel from the source to the group without further delay.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for performing replication of multicast control packets by a packet processor of a networking device, rather than a central processor of the networking device, thereby freeing the central processor to perform other tasks. For example, methods of performing replication of multicast control packets may include learning, by a networking device, two or more local routers coupled to ports of the networking device; configuring a packet processor of the networking device for hardware-based replication of multicast control packets based on the learned two or more local routers; receiving a multicast control packet by the networking device; and replicating, by the packet processor of the networking device, the multicast control packet.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for synchronizing multicast state in a cluster of network devices, such as network switches. For example, a method may include receiving a multicast control packet by an edge port of a first switch of a cluster comprising a plurality of switches; processing the multicast control packet by the first switch to update a local multicast state; manipulating the multicast control packet to insert a unique identifier associated with the edge port, resulting in a manipulated version of the multicast control packet; and forwarding, by the first switch of the cluster, the manipulated version of the multicast control packet to at least one other switch of the cluster via an inter-chassis link that couples the first switch and the at least one other switch.

Abstract: A computer network device (such as a switch or a router) that implement host tracking is described. During operation, the computer network device may receive a report message that is associated with a host, which indicates that the host wants to join a group in a network that receives an audio-video channel from a source. In response, the computer network device may add information associated with the host to a group data structure associated with one or more hosts in the group. Then, when the computer network device receives a leave message that is associated with the host, the computer network device may remove or deactivates the host from the group data structure. Moreover, when the group data structure is empty or has no active hosts, the computer network device may stop forwarding the audio-video channel from the source to the group without further delay.

Abstract: A computer network device (such as a switch or a router) that implement a passive snooping communication protocol is described. During operation, the computer network device may receive an instance of a message from a second computer network device in a network via a port (such as a router port) associated with a link between the computer network device and the second computer network device. Based at least in part on the received instance of the message, the computer network device may identify the port as being a type of port (such as a passive neighbor port and a non-edge port in the network), and may not forward the instance of the message to one or more additional computer network devices via one or more additional ports (such as one or more additional router ports).