Enabling multicast distribution efficiencies in a dialup access

Abstract

In a network having one or more intermediate devices coupled to end stations by respective links, and including a multicast source end station such as a remote access server for an Internet service provider, and a plurality of multicast receiving end stations, such as customer premises equipment CPE, coupled to an intermediate device in the network, a method for distributing multicast distribution functions to the intermediate device is described. The method comprises establishing point-to-point sessions between the source end station and the plurality of receiving end stations according to a communication protocol such as the PPP. Also, a point-to-point session is established between the multicast source end station and the intermediate device by which the source end station feeds multicast messages to the intermediate device that are directed to a set of multicast groups. The method involves transmitting from end stations in the plurality of receiving end stations to the intermediate device respective multicast join messages. The multicast join messages include information identifying one or more multicast groups for the respective receiving end stations to join. In this way, the intermediate device is enabled to forward multicast messages directed to a particular multicast group in the set of multicast groups to the receiving end stations which have joined the particular multicast group.