Method and devices for multicast distribution optimization

7:

• The method of claim 5, wherein said information subflow includes at least one data packet derived from said given information flow, the method further including:
• incorporating to said at least one data packet a given counter value,
• decrementing said given counter value at each aggregation router traversed by said at least one data packet, and
• identifying the one of said upper-level routers defining a shorter path to access said given information flow as the aggregation router propagating packets having a higher value for said counter value.

10:

• A router for a network according to claim 9, wherein the router is configured for at least one of:
• A) receiving a multicast information packet from an upper level router in said network, and checking whether said multicast information packet received is from a given information flow requested from a user terminal, wherein the router is one in a plurality of aggregation routers traversed by said information flow and defining a multicast distribution path therefor, and
• i) if the router is said one in a plurality of aggregation routers traversed by said information flow, forwarding said information flow over said multicast distribution path and propagating said multicast information packet received from said upper level router towards at least one lower-level aggregation router other than a router in said multicast distribution path an information subflow identification of said given information flow,
• ii) if the router is an aggregation router other than a router in said multicast distribution path, locally storing said multicast information packet received from said upper level router and forwarding said multicast information packet received from said upper level router towards at least one lower-level aggregation router other than a router in said multicast distribution path;
• and
• B) receiving a request for an information flow from a lower level router in said network, and checking whether the router is one in a plurality of aggregation routers traversed by said information flow requested and defining a multicast distribution path therefor, and
• i) if the router is said one in a plurality of aggregation routers traversed by said information flow requested, forwarding said information flow requested towards said lower level router from which said request was received,
• ii) if the router is an aggregation router other than a router in said multicast distribution path, forwarding said request for an information flow towards at least one upper level router in said network from which an information subflow identification of said information flow requested was propagated, receiving from said at least one upper level router said information flow requested, and forwarding said information flow requested towards said lower level router from which said request was received.