Multicast Distribution Tree Switching

The method according to claim further comprising:

• receiving, by the first PE device, a first data MDT switch initiation packet from another PE device, the first data MDT switch initiation packet including a first private network multicast group address, which is preset to support switching from a first default MDT to a first data MDT, and a first data group address corresponding to the first private network multicast group address;
• checking, by the first PE device, whether the first PE device connects with a receiver, which receives private network multicast data flow corresponding to the first private network multicast group address;
• if the first PE device connects with the receiver, joining in, by the first PE device, a first data group corresponding to the first data group address to create the first data MDT;
• if the first PE device does not connect with the receiver, storing, by the first PE device, the first private network multicast group address and the first data group address and joining in, by the first PE device, the first data group after the first PE device connects with the receiver.

A Provider Edge (PE) device, comprising:

• a non-transitory storage medium and a processor, wherein the processor is to execute machine readable instructions stored in the non-transitory storage medium to:
• store a mapping relationship between a private network multicast group address, which is preset to support switching from a default multicast distribution tree (MDT) to a data MDT, and a data group address;
• if private network multicast data flow corresponding to the mapping relationship satisfies a condition of switching from the default MDT to the data MDT, send a data MDT switch initiation packet including the private network multicast group address and the data group address to a second PE device on the default MDT, so that the second PE device joins the data MDT, a root of which is the PE device, using the data group address;
• and
• switch the private network multicast data flow to the data MDT, so that the private network multicast data flow is transmitted on the data MDT.