Subnet scoped multicast/broadcast packet distribution over a routed network

An apparatus comprising:

• a first network interface coupled to an intermediate router;
• a second network interface coupled to a host device of a subnet of a forwarding domain;
• one or more processors coupled to the first network interface and the second network interface;
• and
• a memory configured to store instructions, which when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
• process a subnet-scoped multicast packet received on the first interface from the intermediate router,
• determine whether the forwarding device is an intended receiver of the subnet-scoped multicast packet;
• and
• responsive to determining that the forwarding device is the intended receiver of the subnet-scoped multicast packet, sending a copy of the subnet-scoped multicast packet to a local processing unit for processing.

A non-transitory computer-readable media storing one or more instructions executable by one or more processors, the one or more instructions, when executed, operable to cause the one or more processors to:

• receive, at a forwarding device, a multicast broadcast packet associated with a subnet in a forwarding domain, the multicast broadcast packet including an additional header, the additional header indicating a distribution tree, wherein the distribution tree comprises a multicast distribution tree selected among multiple multicast distribution trees, each multicast distribution tree from the multiple multicast distribution trees being used for a multicast traffic source for a single subnet, the single subnet being from a plurality of subnets provided in the forwarding domain;
• determine whether the forwarding device is an intended receiver of the multicast broadcast packet;
• and
• responsive to determining that the forwarding device is the intended receiver of the multicast broadcast packet, send a copy of the multicast broadcast packet to a local processing unit of the forwarding device for processing.