Multi-Instance Multicast; Introduction To The Multi-Instance Concept; Multi-Instance Application In Multicast - HP A5500 SI Switch Series Configuration Manual

Multi-instance multicast

Multi-instance multicast refers to multicast in virtual private networks (VPNs).

Introduction to the multi-instance concept

VPN networks must be isolated from one another and from the public network.
Figure 10 Networking diagram for VPN
VPN B
CE b1
CE a1
VPN A
As shown in
devices in the network are as follows:
The P device belongs to the public network. The CE devices belong to their respective VPNs. Each
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CE device serves its own network and maintains only one set of forwarding mechanism.
The PE devices connect to the public network and the VPN networks at the same time. Each PE
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device must strictly distinguish the information for different networks, and must maintain a separate
forwarding mechanism for each network. On a PE device, a set of software and hardware that
serves the same network forms an instance. Multiple instances exist on a PE device at the same
time, and an instance resides on different PE devices.

Multi-instance application in multicast

With multi-instance multicast enabled, a PE can do the following operations:
Maintain a set of independent multicast forwarding mechanisms for each instance, including
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various multicast protocols, a list of PIM neighbors, and a multicast routing table per instance. Each
instance searches its own forwarding table or routing table to forward multicast data.
Guarantee the isolation between different VPN instances.
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VPN A
CE b2
PE 1
Public network
Figure 10, VPN A and VPN B separately access the public network through PE devices. The
CE a2
CE b3
PE 2
P
PE 3
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VPN B
CE a3
VPN A