304
Configuring MLD snooping
This chapter describes MLD snooping, how to configure MLD snooping, configuration examples,
troubleshooting methods, and an appendix about processing IPv6 multicast protocol messages.
Overview
MLD snooping is an IPv6 multicast constraining mechanism that runs on Layer 2 devices to manage
and control IPv6 multicast groups.
By analyzing received MLD messages, an MLD snooping–enabled Layer 2 device establishes
mappings between ports and multicast MAC addresses and forwards IPv6 multicast data based on
these mappings.
As shown in
, without MLD snooping enabled, the Layer 2 switch floods multicast packets
to all devices at Layer 2 (including VLANs). With MLD snooping enabled, the Layer 2 switch forwards
multicast packets destined for known IPv6 multicast groups to only the receivers that require the
multicast data at Layer 2.
This feature improves bandwidth efficiency, enhances multicast security, and helps per-host
accounting for multicast users.
Figure 89 Before and after MLD snooping is enabled on the Layer 2 device
Basic concepts in MLD snooping
This section describes basic concepts involved in MLD snooping.
MLD snooping related ports
As shown in
, Router A connects to the multicast source, MLD snooping runs on Switch A
and Switch B, and Host A and Host C are receiver hosts as members of an IPv6 multicast group.