A system for providing resilient multimedia broadcasting services over a
VPLS network is described. A Network Management System (NMS) calculates
disjoint minimum cost trees using the Steiner algorithm, executed with
extra steps to result in disjoint trees. Destination PE routers in the
VPLS network are connected to the disjoint trees so that they can be
serviced by either tree in case of a fault. Each of the disjoint trees is
provisioned with enough bandwidth to carry all of the services provided
by the VPLS network. Under normal operation, however, the services are
distributed evenly over the trees. In the event of a fault, the services
on a faulty tree are switched to another tree using split horizon
bridging. Each Steiner tree can also be realized using
point-to-multipoint LSPs which is fully protected by a precomputed
point-to-multipoint LSP.