Dynamic burstification based on fully/partially shared multicast entities

A method of merging a new multicast tree into an existing multicast tree forming a union tree, comprising the steps of:

• maintaining a queue of edge/core router and corresponding link pairs;
• releasing an item comprising an edge/core router and link pair from the queue;
• checking if the edge or core router from said released item is included in said existing multicast tree;
• connecting said edge or core router to said existing multicast tree with its corresponding link if said edge or core router from said item is not included in said existing multicast tree;
• and
• adding adjacent edge/core routers of said edge or core router to said queue.

A method for switching multicast data packets through a burst switched network, comprising the steps of:

• receiving a plurality of multicast data packets that are associated with two or more different multicast trees;
• assembling a single multicast burst with one set of overhead from multicast data packets that are associated with two or more of the different multicast trees that share one or more parameters;
• and
• transmitting said multicast burst through said burst switched network.