IGMP snooping inspects PIM hello packets

When you enable IGMP snooping, you might suspect that the switch will only look at IGMP packets. This is not the case though. There might be differences between vendors/models.

For example, on Cisco IOS it will look at the following packets:

  • IGMP General Query (0100.5e00.0001)
  • OSPF (0100.5e00.0005 and 0100.5e00.0006)
  • PIM version 1 and HSRP (0100.5e00.0006)
  • PIM version 2 (0100.5e00.000d)
  • DVMRP (0100.5e00.0004)

Most switches will check for PIM hello packets. This is true for Cisco Nexus (3600) switches, Huawei, and Cisco HPE switches.

When you enable Multicast - PIM Snooping they will check additional PIM packets.