Optimizing controller driven multicast for scalability

An apparatus, comprising:

• one or more network interfaces to communicate with a network;
• a processor coupled to the one or more network interfaces and configured to execute one or more processes;
• and
• a memory configured to store a process that is executable by the processor, the process comprising:
• analyzing a plurality of network nodes to determine replication characteristics associated with the plurality of network nodes;
• identifying a first subset of the plurality of network nodes that are candidates for network node replication;
• identifying a second subset of the plurality of network nodes that are not candidates for network node replication;
• and
• initiating one or more path computation element protocol sessions based, at least in part, on identification of the first subset of the plurality of network nodes and the second subset of the plurality of network nodes.

A tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing program instructions that cause a device to execute a process comprising:

• analyzing, by a controller, a plurality of network nodes to determine replication characteristics associated with the plurality of network nodes;
• identifying, by the controller, a first subset of the plurality of network nodes that are candidates for network node replication;
• identifying, by the controller, a second subset of the plurality of network nodes that are not candidates for network node replication;
• and
• initiating, by the controller, one or more path computation element protocol sessions based, at least in part, on identification of the first subset of the plurality of network nodes and the second subset of the plurality of network nodes.