Enabling multicast for service layer group operation

An apparatus comprising a processor, a memory, and communication circuitry, the apparatus being connected to a communications network via the communication circuitry, the apparatus further comprising computer-executable instructions stored in the memory of the apparatus which, when executed by the processor of the apparatus, cause the apparatus to:

• provide a service layer entity;
• receive, from multiple entities, indications of underlying multicast capabilities comprising, for each of the multiple entities, an indication of a type of multicast supported by the entity for an underlying network;
• maintain one or more service layer resources for a multicast configuration;
• receive a request from the first entity to create a service layer group;
• create the service layer group by selecting members among the multiple entities, wherein the selection is based at least in part on the indications of multicast capabilities;
• receive, from a second entity, a first fanout operation request, the first fanout operation request pertaining to the service layer group;
• send requests to members of the service layer group using one or more of the underlying multicast capabilities;
• aggregate responses to the requests received from one or more members of the service layer group;
• send, based on a timer, an aggregated response to the second entity;
• determine a first subgroup comprising one or more members of the service layer group that did not send back responses after the timer expires;
• and
• send, in accordance with the first fanout operation request, a unicast to each member of the first subgroup.