Automated determination of tree attributes and assignment of receiver identifiers by distributed election in multicast architectures relying on packets identifying intended receivers

Abstract

Exemplary methods include a first network device participating in an election process to determine a designated bit forwarding router (D-BFR). The methods include in response to determining the first network device is elected to be the D-BFR, performing D-BFR operations comprising determining an elected bitmask (BM) length of a BM based on maximum local BM lengths advertised by other BFRs in the network, wherein each bit of the BM will correspond to a bit forwarding egress router (BFER), and advertising the determined elected BM length to other BFRs. The methods may further include one or more of determining an elected tree type based on supported tree types advertised by other BFRs in the network, assigning one or more BM positions (BMPs) to one or more BFERs, and advertising the elected determined tree type and/or the assigned one or more BMPs.