RFC 5332 · PROPOSED STANDARD · 2008

MPLS Multicast Encapsulations

Overview

RFC 5332, “MPLS Multicast Encapsulations”, is a Proposed Standard document published in August 2008 by T. Eckert, E. Rosen, R. Aggarwal, Y. Rekhter. It updates RFC 3032, RFC 4023. The canonical text is published by the RFC Editor.

Abstract

RFC 3032 established two data link layer codepoints for MPLS, used to distinguish whether the data link layer frame is carrying an MPLS unicast or an MPLS multicast packet. However, this usage was never deployed. This specification updates RFC 3032 by redefining the meaning of these two codepoints. Both codepoints can now be used to carry multicast packets. The second codepoint (formerly the "multicast codepoint") is now to be used only on multiaccess media, and it is to mean "the top label of the following label stack is an upstream-assigned label".

RFC 3032 does not specify the destination address to be placed in the "MAC DA" (Medium Access Layer Destination Address) field of an ethernet frame that carries an MPLS multicast packet. This document provides that specification.

This document updates RFC 3032 and RFC 4023. [STANDARDS-TRACK]

Abstract as published in the RFC, via rfc-editor.org.

What “Proposed Standard” means

An entry-level standards-track specification: stable, peer-reviewed and a solid basis for implementation, though it may still evolve before becoming an Internet Standard.

Read this RFC

The canonical text of RFC 5332 is hosted at rfc-editor.org. Available in TXT,HTML.

Relationships to other RFCs
This RFC updates
RFC 3032 RFC 4023
Other RFCs from 2008

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