Optimization of link bandwidth consumption in a layer-2 multicast network

A multicast network, comprising:

• a querier router comprising a first port;
• and
• a layer-2 switch comprising a second port coupled to the first port of the querier router;
• wherein the layer-2 switch is to send a query-response message to the first port of the querier router in response to receiving an all-host query from the querier router at the second port;
• wherein the querier router is to:
• add the first port to a port list comprising a number of ports coupled to non-querier devices in the multicast network;
• and
• forward any received multicast-join message to the ports on the port list comprising the first port except for a port that receives the multicast-join message;
• and
• wherein the layer-2 switch is further to:
• receive unknown multicast data packets;
• determine whether a multicast-join message is received at the second port;
• and
• suppress flooding of the unknown multicast data packets to the second port, in response to determining that the multicast-join message is not received at the second port.