Method and apparatus of directing multicast traffic in an Ethernet MAN

摘要

Method and apparatuses for directing multicast traffic in an Ethernet network include sending a multicast message (3,4) upstream to a metro access node (13), performing IGMP snooping at the metro access node (13) and assigning a multicast VLAN tag to the multicast message, performing IGMP snooping at an Ethernet switch (16) disposed upstream to determine each port used for a corresponding multicast group address and multicast VLAN tag associated with the multicast group address, receiving the multicast message (14,15) at an access server or edge router (17) and sending the multicast message (18) including the multicast group address and the multicast VLAN tag, downstream to a port based on that information, thereby avoiding duplication of the multicast message to another port other than the port associated with the multicast VLAN tag.