Manage Multicast Traffic With IGMP Snooping
Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) snooping allows a switch to forward multicast traffic intelligently
on the switch. Multicast IP traffic is traffic that is destined to a host group. Host groups are identified by class
D IP addresses, which range from 224.0.0.0 to 239.255.255.255. Based on the IGMP query and report
messages, the switch forwards traffic only to the ports that request the multicast traffic.This feature prevents
the switch from broadcasting the traffic to all ports and possibly affecting network performance.
The switch maintains a map that shows which links need which IP multicast streams.The switch forwards
multicast traffic only to the links that requested them and cuts multicast traffic from links that do not contain a
multicast listener. Essentially, IGMP snooping helps optimize multicast performance at Layer 2 and is especially
useful for bandwidth-intensive IP multicast applications such as IPTV.
Customize IGMP Snooping
By default, IGMP snooping is enabled.You can customize the settings for your network.
To customize IGMP snooping:
1. Connect your computer to the same network as the switch.
You can use a WiFi or wired network connection, or connect directly to a switch that is off-network using
an Ethernet cable.
2. Launch a web browser.
3. In the address field of your web browser, enter the IP address of the switch.
The login page displays.
4. Enter the switch password.
The default password is password. The password is case-sensitive.
The Switch Information page displays.
5. Select System > Multicast.
The IGMP Snooping Configuration page displays.
6. Select the IGMP Snooping Status Enable radio button.
By default, the Enable radio button is selected.
7. Make sure that a VLAN ID between 1 and 4094 is stated in the VLAN ID Enabled for IGMP Snooping
field.
You can specify a VLAN for IGMP snooping only if you enabled port-based or 802.1Q-based VLANs
(see Use VLANS for Traffic Segmentation on page 24).
IGMP snooping functions only on the VLAN that is specified in the VLAN ID Enabled for IGMP Snooping
field.
8. (Optional) Select the Validate IGMPv3 IP header Enable radio button.
Some network devices might not conform to the IGMPv3 standard.When the Validate IGMPv3 IP header
option is enabled, IGMP messages are required to include TTL = 1, ToS Byte = 0xC0 (Internetwork
Control), and the router alert IP option (9404) must be set. Otherwise, the packets are ignored.
9. (Optional) Select the Block Unknown MultiCast Address Enable radio button.
Manage Network Settings
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12- or 24-Port 10-Gigabit/Multi-Gigabit Switch Models XS512EM and XS724EM