Transporting multicast over MPLS backbone using virtual interfaces to perform reverse-path forwarding checks

A method comprising:

• creating a first virtual interface, wherein
• the first virtual interface corresponds to an ingress network element;
• associating a first RPF-label with the first virtual interface;
• and
• transmitting an identification of the first RPF-label to the ingress network element.

A network routing apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of network line cards, wherein
• a first network line card of the plurality of network line cards is configured to receive a first RPF-label and a first multicast packet, and
• a second network line card of the plurality of network line cards is configured to transmit the first multicast packet;
• a switch fabric comprising a plurality of ports, wherein
• each of the plurality of ports is-coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of network line cards,
• a first port is coupled to the first network line card, and
• a second port is coupled to the second network line card;
• and
• one or more processors coupled to the first network line card, wherein
• the one or more processors are configured to determine an association of the first RPF-label with a first virtual interface, and
• provide the first multicast packet to the second network line card if a source address within the first multicast packet is associated with the first virtual interface.

A network routing apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of network line cards, wherein
• a first network line card of the plurality of network line cards is coupled to an ingress network element;
• a switch fabric comprising a plurality of ports, wherein
• each of the plurality of ports is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of network line cards, and
• a first port is coupled to the first network line card;
• a memory;
• and
• one or more processors coupled to the first network line card and the memory, wherein
• the one or more processors are configured to create a first virtual interface, wherein
• the first virtual interface corresponds to the ingress network element, associate a first RPF-label with the first virtual interface, and transmit an identification of the first RPF-label to the ingress network element.

A network routing apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of network line cards, wherein
• a first network line card of the plurality of network line cards is configured to receive a first RPF-label and a first multicast packet, and
• a second network line card of the plurality of network line cards is configured to transmit the first multicast packet;
• a switch fabric comprising a plurality of ports, wherein
• each of the plurality of ports is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of network line cards,
• a first port is coupled to the first network line card, and
• a second port is coupled to the second network line card;
• and
• means for determining an association of the first RPF-label with a first virtual interface;
• and
• means for transmitting the first multicast packet if a source address within the first multicast packet is associated with the first virtual interface.

A network routing apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of network line cards, wherein
• a first network line card of the plurality of network line cards is coupled to an ingress network element;
• a switch fabric comprising a plurality of ports, wherein
• each of the plurality of ports is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of network line cards, and
• a first port is coupled to the first network line card;
• means for creating a first virtual interface, wherein
• the first virtual interface corresponds to the ingress network element;
• means for associating a first RPF-label with the first virtual interface;
• and
• means for transmitting an identification of the first RPF-label to the ingress network element.