54
Configuring MLD snooping
Overview
MLD snooping runs on a Layer 2 device as an IPv6 multicast constraining mechanism to improve
multicast forwarding efficiency. It creates Layer 2 multicast forwarding entries from MLD messages
that are exchanged between the hosts and the router.
As shown in
, when MLD snooping is not enabled, the Layer 2 device floods IPv6 multicast
packets to all hosts. When MLD snooping is enabled, the Layer 2 device forwards multicast packets
of known IPv6 multicast groups to only the receivers.
Figure 22 Multicast packet transmission processes without and with MLD snooping
Basic MLD snooping concepts
MLD snooping related ports
As shown in
, MLD snooping runs on Switch A and Switch B, and Host A and Host C are
receiver hosts in an IPv6 multicast group.