Nortel Networks 42C4911 Switch User Manual


 
42C4911, January 2007 161
CHAPTER 10
IGMP
Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) is used by IP Multicast routers to learn about the
existence of host group members on their directly attached subnet (see RFC 2236). The IP
Multicast routers get this information by broadcasting IGMP Membership Queries and listen-
ing for IP hosts reporting their host group memberships. This process is used to set up a client/
server relationship between an IP Multicast source that provides the data streams and the cli-
ents that want to receive the data.
The GbESM can perform IGMP Snooping, or act as an IGMP Relay (proxy) device.
The following topics are discussed in this chapter:
“IGMP Snooping” on page 162
“IGMP Relay” on page 165
“Additional IGMP Features” on page 168