System and method for layer-2 multicast multipathing

摘要

An example method is provided and includes a multicast data message from a data source, the message in a first virtual local area network and being associated with a multicast group. The method also includes calculating a hash value based on the virtual local area network, the data source, and the multicast group, determining a port for a designated router in a Layer-2 network based on the hash value, and switching the multicast data message to the port that was determined.

主权项

1. A method, comprising:
receiving a multicast data message from a data source, the message being in a first virtual local area network and being associated with a multicast group; calculating a hash value based on the virtual local area network, the data source, and the multicast group, wherein the hash value designates a unique combination of a forwarding tree on which the multicast data message is to be forwarded and a router of the forwarding tree; determining a port for the router designated by the hash value in a Layer-2 network; switching the multicast data message to the port that was determined; and forwarding the multicast data message on the designated forwarding tree.