Efficient distribution of multi-destination packets in an overlay network

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor of a first network device in an overlay network, cause the processor to perform a method, the method comprising:

• receiving a multi-destination packet associated with a virtual local area network (VLAN) via an edge port of the first network device;
• determining a multicast group assigned for distributing multi-destination traffic of the VLAN from a data structure stored in forwarding hardware of the first network device;
• forwarding the multi-destination packet via a root-path multicast tree associated with the multicast group;
• receiving forwarding information shared by a second network device of the overlay network based on a control packet sent by the second network device;
• and
• programming, in the data structure stored in the forwarding hardware, a shortest-path multicast tree associated with the multicast group, wherein the shortest-path multicast tree is for distributing traffic belonging to the VLAN.

A computer system, comprising:

• at least one processing resource;
• a set of ports;
• forwarding hardware;
• and
• a storage device storing instructions executable by the at least one processing resource to:
• operate the computer system as a tunnel endpoint in an overlay network;
• receive a multi-destination packet associated with a virtual local area network (VLAN) via an edge port of the set of ports;
• determine a multicast group assigned for distributing multi-destination traffic of the VLAN from a data structure stored in the forwarding hardware;
• forward the multi-destination packet via a root-path multicast tree associated with the multicast group;
• receive forwarding information shared by a second computer system in the overlay network based on a control packet sent by the second computer system;
• and
• program, in the data structure stored in the forwarding hardware, a shortest-path multicast tree associated with the multicast group, wherein the shortest-path multicast tree is for distributing traffic belonging to the VLAN.