Cisco Cisco IOS Software Release 12.0(23)S

This document describes Multicast-VPN—IP Multicast Support for MPLS VPNs in Cisco IOS 
Release 12.0(23)S and includes the following sections:

This Multicast-VPN—IP Multicast Support for MPLS VPNs feature allows a service provider to 
configure and support multicast traffic in a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) Virtual Private 
Network (VPN) environment. Because MPLS VPNs support only unicast traffic connectivity, deploying 
the Multicast-VPN feature in conjunction with MPLS VPN allows service providers to offer both unicast 
and multicast connectivity to MPLS VPN customers. 

This feature supports routing and forwarding of multicast packets for each individual VPN routing and 
forwarding (VRF) instance, and it also provides a mechanism to transport VPN multicast packets across 
the service provider backbone.

The Multicast-VPN feature in Cisco IOS software provides the ability to support the multicast feature 
over a Layer 3 VPN. As enterprises extend the reach of their multicast applications, service providers 
can accommodate these enterprises over their MPLS core network. IP multicast is used to stream video, 
voice, and data to a MPLS VPN network core.

12.0(23)S

This feature was introduced.

For platforms supported in Cisco IOS Release 12.0(23)S, consult Cisco Feature Navigator.