Multicast protocols

Multicast protocols include the following categories:

This section provides only general descriptions about applications and functions of the Layer 2 and Layer 3 multicast protocols in a network. For more information about these protocols, see the related chapters.


[NOTE: ]

NOTE:

The switches support IGMP snooping, IGMP, and PIM.


Layer 3 multicast protocols

In Figure 8, Layer 3 multicast protocols include multicast group management protocols and multicast routing protocols.

Figure 8: Positions of Layer 3 multicast protocols

Layer 2 multicast protocols

In Figure 9, Layer 2 multicast protocols include IGMP snooping, MLD snooping, PIM snooping, IPv6 PIM snooping, multicast VLAN, and IPv6 multicast VLAN.

Figure 9: Positions of Layer 2 multicast protocols