Facilitating IP-based multicasting control connections

A method for implementing multicast control in a point-to-multipoint tree, comprising:

• facilitating a translate interface identification operation for translating a network element interface identifier associated with a first network element from a first type of network element interface identifier to a second type of network element interface identifier, wherein a translated network element interface identifier corresponding to the second type of network element interface identifier is generated and is transmitted from the first network element for reception by a second network element, wherein the first network element is a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) and the second network element is an IP Gateway, and the first type of network element interface identifier is a conventional identifier, and the second type of network element interface identifier is an identifier which is proprietary to the DSLAM;
• storing the translated network element interface identifier for use by the IP Gateway in further communications such that the further communications are free of additional translations;
• and
• facilitating a root creation operation for creating a designated root of a point-to-multipoint tree after initiating the translate interface identification operation, wherein a root reference identifier of the first network element is generated and is transmitted from the first network element for reception by a second network element, wherein the translated network element interface identifier is used for the designated root.