PIM-SSM

The ASM model includes PIM-DM and PIM-SM. The SSM model can be implemented by leveraging part of the PIM-SM technique. It is also called "PIM-SSM."

The SSM model provides a solution for source-specific multicast. It maintains the relationship between hosts and devices through IGMPv3.

In actual applications, part of IGMPv3 and PIM-SM techniques are adopted to implement the SSM model. In the SSM model, because receivers have located a multicast source, no RP or RPT is required. Multicast sources do not register with the RP, and the MSDP is not needed for discovering multicast sources in other PIM domains.

PIM-SSM mechanisms include neighbor discovery, DR election, and SPT building.

Neighbor discovery

PIM-SSM uses the same neighbor discovery mechanism as PIM-SM. For more information, see "Neighbor discovery."

DR election

PIM-SSM uses the same DR election mechanism as PIM-SM. For more information, see "DR election."

SPT building

The decision to build an RPT for PIM-SM or an SPT for PIM-SSM depends on whether the multicast group that the receiver joins is in the SSM group range. The SSM group range reserved by IANA is 232.0.0.0/8.

Figure 53: SPT building in PIM-SSM

As shown in Figure 53, Host B and Host C are receivers. They send IGMPv3 report messages to their DRs to express their interest in the multicast information that the multicast source S sends to the multicast group G.

After receiving a report message, the DR first checks whether the group address in this message is in the SSM group range and does the following:

In PIM-SSM, the term "subscribe message" refers to a join message.