Patent attributes
Systems and methods are provided for performing a node-level redundant failover-type process with respect to the protocol-independent multicast (PIM) functionality in a multi-chassis environment. When a PIM-related failure occurs on a first network device, but otherwise it remains operational, a second network device is configured to assume responsibility for performing PIM data traffic forwarding. Upon detecting the PIM-related failure of the first network device, the second network device sends a PIM-DR failover event signal to the second network device's PIM module by loading multicast route states used by the first network device into the PIM data traffic forwarding hardware of the second network device. Upon the second network device assuming responsibility, the first network device disables its PIM data traffic forwarding functionality.
