Ip Multicast (Igmp) Service Features-Multimedia Traffic Control - HP ProCurve Switch 212M Management And Configuration Manual

Configuring the Switch
IP Multicast (IGMP) Service Features—Multimedia Traffic Control
IP Multicast (IGMP) Service Features—
Multimedia Traffic Control
In a network where IP multicast traffic is transmitted for various multimedia
applications, you can use the switch to reduce unnecessary bandwidth usage
on a per-port basis by configuring IGMP (Internet Group Management Proto-
col). In the factory default state IGMP is disabled—the switch forwards all
IGMP traffic to all ports, which can cause unnecessary bandwidth usage on
ports not belonging to multicast groups. Enabling IGMP allows the ports to
detect IGMP queries and report packets and manage IP multicast traffic
through the switch.
IGMP is useful in multimedia applications such as LAN TV, desktop confer-
encing, and collaborative computing, where there is multipoint communica-
tion; that is, communication from one to many hosts, or communication
originating from many hosts and destined for many other hosts. In such
multipoint applications, IGMP will be configured on the hosts, and multicast
traffic will be generated by one or more servers, inside or outside of the local
network. Switches in the network that support IGMP can then be configured
to direct the multicast traffic to only the ports where needed. In addition to
the Switch 212M and Switch 224M, other HP switches that support IGMP
include:
• HP Switch 1600M
• HP Switch 2400M
Enabling IGMP allows the ports to detect IGMP queries and report packets
and manage IP multicast traffic through the switch. If no other querier is
detected, the switch will also function as the querier. (If you need to disable
the querier feature, you can do so through the IGMP configuration MIB. Refer
to "Changing the Querier Configuration Setting" on page page 6-42.)
N o t e
In order for IGMP service to take effect, an IP address must be configured on
the switch. Refer to "IP Configuration" on page page 6-5.
For more information on IGMP operation, refer to "How IGMP Operates" on
page 6-38.
6-34
• HP Switch 4000M • HP Switch 2000 (B-version)
• HP Switch 8000M • HP Switch 800T