Systems and methods for load balancing multicast traffic

A system comprising:

• a memory that stores:
• an identifying module that identifies a plurality of switches that comprise at least a first switch and a second switch, wherein:
• the first switch is connected to the second switch by a first path that extends from the first switch to the second switch;
• the first switch is also connected to the second switch by ama˜l-a second path that extends from the first switch to the second switch;
• a calculating module that calculates a plurality of multicast distribution trees for distributing multicast traffic among the plurality of switches by:
• selecting a first root switch from the plurality of switches;
• selecting a second root switch from the plurality of switches;
• generating a first tree for distributing multicast traffic among the plurality of switches that is rooted on the first root switch and that includes the first path;
• generating a second tree for distributing multicast traffic among the plurality of switches that is rooted on the second root switch and that includes the second path, wherein
• a receiving module that receives a plurality of multicast packets ingress to the plurality of switches at the first switch;
• a transmitting module that:
• uses, at each switch along the first path, the first tree to transmit a first portion of the plurality of multicast packets from the first switch to the second switch via the first path;
• uses, at each switch along the second path, the second tree to transmit a second portion of the plurality of multicast packets from the first switch to the second switch via the second path;
• and
• at least one physical processor coupled to the memory that executes the identifying module, the calculating module, the receiving module, and the transmitting module.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising one or more computer-executable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor of at least one network device, cause the network device to:

• identify a plurality of switches that comprise at least a first switch and a second switch, wherein:
• the first switch is connected to the second switch by a first path that extends from the first switch to the second switch;
• the first switch is also connected to the second switch by a second path that extends from the first switch to the second switch;
• calculate a plurality of multicast distribution trees for distributing multicast traffic among the plurality of switches by:
• selecting a first root switch from the plurality of switches;
• selecting a second root switch from the plurality of switches;
• generating a first tree for distributing multicast traffic among the plurality of switches that is rooted on the first root switch and that includes the first path;
• generating a second tree for distributing multicast traffic among the plurality of switches that is rooted on the second root switch and that includes the second path, wherein
• the first root switch of the first tree is different than the second root switch of the second tree;
• receive a plurality of multicast packets ingress to the plurality of switches at the first switch;
• and
• use, at each switch along the first path, the first tree to transmit a first portion of the plurality of multicast packets from the first switch to the second switch via the first path;
• use, at each switch along the second path, the second tree to transmit a second portion of the plurality of multicast packets from the first switch to the second switch via the second path.