Which of the following is a difference between IGMP versions?

Which of the following is a difference between IGMP versions?

• A. IGMPv1 and IGMPv2 do not support querier election, but IGMPv3 does
• B. IGMPv2 and IGMPv3 allow users to leave a group proactively, whereas IGMPv1 does not
• C. All versions support the SSM model
• D. IGMPv1 does not support group-specific query, whereas IGMPv2 does

Answer: (B)

The correct choice highlights an important enhancement in IGMP versions, particularly the proactive leave functionality introduced in IGMPv2 and IGMPv3 compared to IGMPv1. In IGMPv1, when a user wants to leave a multicast group, the process is passive, meaning the member simply stops listening to the group but does not communicate this to the multicast router. As a result, the router continues to send multicast traffic to the segment, which can lead to unnecessary bandwidth consumption. IGMPv2, on the other hand, introduced a ‘Leave Group’ message, allowing a member to inform the router that it is leaving the group. This proactive communication enables the router to stop sending multicast traffic to that group if there are no other members remaining, resulting in more efficient usage of network resources. IGMPv3 further builds upon this with enhanced features, including the ability to join specific sources in a group. Understanding this proactive leave capability is crucial, as it directly impacts how multicast traffic is managed in networks, promoting efficiency and resource optimization. This differentiating feature distinctly marks the improvements made from IGMPv1 to IGMPv2 and IGMPv3, which have significant implications for network management and performance.

The correct choice highlights an important enhancement in IGMP versions, particularly the proactive leave functionality introduced in IGMPv2 and IGMPv3 compared to IGMPv1. In IGMPv1, when a user wants to leave a multicast group, the process is passive, meaning the member simply stops listening to the group but does not communicate this to the multicast router. As a result, the router continues to send multicast traffic to the segment, which can lead to unnecessary bandwidth consumption.

IGMPv2, on the other hand, introduced a ‘Leave Group’ message, allowing a member to inform the router that it is leaving the group. This proactive communication enables the router to stop sending multicast traffic to that group if there are no other members remaining, resulting in more efficient usage of network resources. IGMPv3 further builds upon this with enhanced features, including the ability to join specific sources in a group.

Understanding this proactive leave capability is crucial, as it directly impacts how multicast traffic is managed in networks, promoting efficiency and resource optimization. This differentiating feature distinctly marks the improvements made from IGMPv1 to IGMPv2 and IGMPv3, which have significant implications for network management and performance.