This feature allows multicast services to use segmented protocols and span them over multiple autonomous systems (ASs), like in unicast services. As IP VPN or GRT services span multiple IGP areas or multiple ASs, either because of 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. SR OS allows for similar provision of multicast services and for spanning these services over multiple IGP areas or multiple ASs.
mLDP supports non-segmented mLDP trees for inter-AS solutions, applicable for multicast services in the GRT (Global Routing Table) where they need to traverse mLDP point-to-multipoint tunnels as well as NG-MVPN services.