Linux® Routing

Multicast Open Shortest Path First (MOSPF)

The Multicast Open Shortest Path First (MOSPF) protocol is a version of OSPF that allows for efficient routing of multicast packets (as well as unicast packets) within an autonomous system. This implementation merges both OSPF and the Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP), which handles multicast group memberships. Even better, it keeps the best capabilities of all, including using the OSPF authentication scheme.

MOSPF tracks who is currently a member of a multicast group using the same type of back and forth querying used by the HELLO protocol. Every MOSPF router calculates its own trees. Notice the plural on “trees.” Each router calculates a separate tree for each source/destination pair. This ...