6.5.1

Table Of Contents
Multicast Filtering 16
In vSphere 6.0 and later, vSphere Distributed Switch supports basic and snooping models for filtering of
multicast packets that are related to individual multicast groups. Choose a model according to the number
of multicast groups to which the virtual machines on the switch subscribe.
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Multicast Filtering Modes
In addition to the default basic mode for filtering multicast traffic, vSphere Distributed Switch 6.0.0
and later releases support multicast snooping that forwards multicast traffic in a more precise way
based on the Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) and Multicast Listener Discovery (MLD)
messages from virtual machines.
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Enable Multicast Snooping on a vSphere Distributed Switch
Use multicast snooping on a vSphere Distributed Switch to forward traffic in a precise manner
according to Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) or Multicast Listener Discovery (MLD)
membership information that virtual machines send to subscribe for multicast traffic.
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Edit the Query Time Interval for Multicast Snooping
When IGMP or MLD multicast snooping is enabled on a vSphere Distributed Switch 6.0, the switch
sends general queries about the membership of virtual machines in case a snooping querier is not
configured on the physical switch. On ESXi 6.0 hosts that are attached to the distributed switch, you
can edit the time interval in which the switch sends general queries.
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Edit the Number of Source IP Addresses for IGMP and MLD
When you enable IGMP or MLD multicast snooping on a vSphere Distributed Switch 6.0, you can
edit the maximum number of IP sources from which the members of a multicast group receive
packets.
Multicast Filtering Modes
In addition to the default basic mode for filtering multicast traffic, vSphere Distributed Switch 6.0.0 and
later releases support multicast snooping that forwards multicast traffic in a more precise way based on
the Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) and Multicast Listener Discovery (MLD) messages from
virtual machines.
VMware, Inc.
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