Mtool, characteristics of multicast debbugging tool

Jeffrey Smith (NTT) identified the need for such an implementation. The multicast management tool should have the following characteristics:

• real-time update of multicast topology
• display multicast traffic vs. unicast traffic
• per group data
• indicate problems (non-prunning routers , routing loops)
• interface with tools like mtrace etc.
• information about host membership.
• integration with network management platform (i.e OpenView)
• gathering of configuration and traffic data
• capability for RTP/RTCP monitoring
• standardisation and support of MIBs

Integration with a widely used network management system would be of course desirable but attempts to interface with HP-OpenView proved that it is a non trivial task.