This feature allows multicast services to use segmented protocols and span them over multiple autonomous systems (ASs) in the same way as unicast services. Because IP VPN or GRT services span multiple IGP areas or multiple ASs, either for a network designed to deal with scale or as result of commercial acquisitions, operators may require inter-AS VPN (unicast) connectivity. For example, an inter-AS VPN can break the IGP, MPLS, and BGP protocols into access segments and core segments, allowing higher scaling of protocols by segmenting them into their own islands. The 7705 SAR allows for a similar provisioning of multicast services and for spanning these services over multiple IGP areas or multiple ASs.
Multicast LDP (mLDP) supports non-segmented mLDP trees for inter-AS solutions that are applicable for NG-MVPN services.