Method and apparatus for minimizing dense mode multicast flooding between a local area network switch and a router
OwnerGeorge Popovich, Michael F. Korus +1inventors
InventorsGeorge Popovich, Michael F. Korus, Vidya Narayanan
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Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for minimizing dense mode multicast flooding between a local area network (“LAN”) switch and a multicast capable router. The method includes the steps of detecting a prune message from the multicast capable router, identifying a multicast group from the prune message and setting a flag within the LAN switch to disable transfer of multicast datagrams of the determined multicast group to the multicast capable router. The apparatus can include a software interface, a control information processor, and an Internet switch-memory.
Claims33
A method of minimizing dense mode multicast flooding between a local area network (“LAN”) switch and a multicast capable router, such method comprising the steps of:
- detecting a prune message from the multicast capable router;
- identifying a multicast group from the prune message;
- and
- setting a flag within the LAN switch to disable transfer of multicast datagrams of the determined multicast group to the multicast capable router.
An apparatus for minimizing dense mode multicast flooding between a local area network (“LAN”) switch and a multicast capable router, such apparatus comprising:
- means for detecting a prune message from the multicast capable router;
- means for identifying a multicast group from the prune message;
- and
- means for setting a flag within the LAN switch to disable transfer of multicast datagrams of the determined multicast group to the multicast capable router.
The apparatus for minimizing dense mode multicast flooding as in claim wherein the means for storing the identifier of the multicast capable router further comprises means for storing a port identifier of the LAN switch.
An apparatus for minimizing dense mode multicast flooding between a local area network (“LAN”) switch and a multicast capable router, such apparatus comprising:
- a software interface adapted to detect a prune message from the multicast capable router;
- a control information processor adapted to identify a multicast group from the prune message;
- and
- a memory within the LAN switch for storing a multicast group and identifier of the multicast capable router to disable transfer of multicast datagrams of the determined multicast group to the multicast capable router.
A method of minimizing dense mode multicast flooding between a local area network (“LAN”) switch and a multicast capable router, such method comprising the steps of:
- detecting a layer three prune message within the LAN switch from a multicast capable router;
- identifying a multicast group from the layer three prune message;
- and
- setting a flag to disable transfer of multicast datagrams of the determined multicast group to the multicast capable router.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.