In ATM networks, Virtual Path Connections (VPCs) are not only a device for
bundling Virtual Circuit Connections (VCCs), but they serve as an intermedi
ate resource management layer wherein trade-offs between cost, complexity,
and efficiency are Likely to be made on a slower time scale than connection
holding times. In this paper we consider bundling multicast connections on
VP trees. In particular, we show that the aggregation of multicast demands
onto large VP trees can be an effective way to reduce capacity requirement
s, balance network loads, and reduce the number of VP trees required.