Efficient multicast across multiple virtual local area network (VLANs)

A non-transitory processor-readable medium storing code representing instructions to be executed by a processor, the code comprising code to cause the processor to:

• receive a first instance of a multicast data unit associated with a native multicast group from a core network node, the native multicast group associated with (1) a first client device coupled to a first access network node and associated with a first Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN), and (2) a second client device coupled to a second access network node and associated with a second VLAN;
• define, based on the first instance of the multicast data unit, a second instance of the multicast data unit and a third instance of the multicast data unit;
• send the second instance of the multicast data unit to the first access network node based on the first client device being associated with the first VLAN that is a member of a multicast network segment group;
• and
• send the third instance of the multicast data unit to the second access network node based on the second client device being associated with the second VLAN that is a member of the multicast network segment group.

An apparatus, comprising:

• an access network node including a processor and a communications interface, the access network node configured to receive from a core network node, a first instance of a data unit associated with a native multicast group and to be sent to a set of client devices associated with a multicast network segment group including a first Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) and a second VLAN,
• the access network node configured to define a second instance of the data unit and a third instance of the data unit based on the first instance of the data unit,
• the access network node configured to send the second instance of the data unit to a first client device based on the first client device being associated with the first VLAN that is a member of the multicast network segment group,
• the access network node configured to send the third instance of the data unit to a second client device based on the second client device being associated with the second VLAN that is a member of the multicast network segment group.