Facilitating IP-based multicasting control connections

A method is provided for implementing multicast control in a point-to-multipoint tree. In accordance with such method, an operation is performed for receiving a request for translating a network element interface identifier associated with an access multiplexer from a positional port location interface identifier to a system readable interface identifier. The request is transmitted for reception by the access multiplexer from an Internet Protocol (IP) Gateway. An operation for translating from the positional port location interface identifier to the system readable interface identifier is performed after receiving the request, followed by an operation being performed for informing the IP Gateway of the translated interface identifier. Thereafter, an operation is performed for receiving a request for creating a designated root of a point-to-multipoint tree.