What is igmp snooping. I see it in the Airport Utility and it seems to be a good thing but does it cause network problems?
OS X Mavericks (10.9.3)
It is to alleviate network issues, not cause them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IGMP_snooping
I have 6 airports on a rather large network. Do they all have to have IGMP Snooping turned on? If it helps so much, why is the default set to off?
Accidental IT wrote:
I have 6 airports on a rather large network. Do they all have to have IGMP Snooping turned on? If it helps so much, why is the default set to off?
Only the router should need it turned on assuming that you are only using multicast from a WAN source. If the 6 airports are distributed in the network with one router and 5 in bridge or extend wireless the IGMP snooping is irrelevant in 5 of them. For the use of snooping some bandwidth reservation is required.. so when people are not using Multicast it is helpful for it to be turned off.. The use of igmp snooping then is only required in a fairly strict set of conditions and is better left off.
Are you using IP TV for instance.. then it is helpful (maybe) to turn on igmp snooping. It is not always that effective. eg people using wireless.
I ran out of time.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5145322
As with most network things.. it is best discovered by trial and error if it helps or not.
I would not jump to conclusion it should be on.. even if you are streaming video.. there are many effects that are hard to predict.
igmp snooping
