Bit indexed explicit replication packet encapsulation

A network device associated with a network node, the network device comprising:

• one or more network interfaces;
• a memory configured to store multiple bit-indexed forwarding tables, including a first bit-indexed forwarding table comprising one or more forwarding table entries, wherein each of the one or more forwarding table entries comprises a respective neighbor bit array and is associated with a respective neighboring node;
• and
• a processor configured to
• receive at the network node a multicast message comprising a message header and a message payload, wherein
• the message header comprises an incoming message bit array and a size value representing a length of the incoming message bit array, and
• a set of multiple possible destination nodes for the message corresponds to the same set of respective relative bit positions in the incoming message bit array and each of the neighbor bit arrays,
• access the size value in the message header;
• in response to the access of the size value, select the first bit-indexed forwarding table from among the multiple bit-indexed forwarding tables, wherein the first bit-indexed forwarding table corresponds to the size value;
• compare at least a portion of the incoming message bit array to a corresponding portion of a first neighbor bit array of a first forwarding table entry of the one or more forwarding table entries,
• determine that for at least one relative bit position the corresponding destination node is both an intended destination for the message and a reachable destination from a first neighboring node associated with the first forwarding table entry, and
• in response to a determination that an intended destination for the message is a reachable destination from the first neighboring node, forward to the first neighboring node a copy of the message comprising a forwarded message bit array in place of the incoming message bit array.