300-420 Question 284
Single answerAn enterprise network requires the deployment of a multicast solution for a financial trading application that requires source-specific multicast (SSM). The design must ensure efficient utilization of network resources and simplicity in configuration. Which of the following multicast protocols and mechanisms are BEST suited for this design?
- A
PIM Sparse Mode (PIM-SM) with Rendezvous Points (RPs)
- B
PIM Source-Specific Multicast (PIM-SSM)
- C
Multicast Source Discovery Protocol (MSDP) with RPs
- D
PIM Bidirectional (PIM-Bidir)
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The most suitable protocol for source-specific multicast (SSM) is PIM-SSM, as it simplifies the configuration by eliminating the need for RPs and directly supports the one-to-many communication model required by SSM. Other protocols, such as PIM-SM and MSDP, involve additional complexities like RP configuration, which are unnecessary for SSM use cases.
- A. Incorrect.
PIM Sparse Mode (PIM-SM) with RPs is a general-purpose multicast routing protocol suitable for applications with many receivers and sources. However, it introduces additional overhead with RP configuration and is not as efficient for source-specific multicast (SSM).
- B. Correct.
PIM Source-Specific Multicast (PIM-SSM) is specifically designed for SSM use cases. It allows receivers to explicitly request traffic from specific multicast sources, eliminating the need for RPs and reducing configuration complexity and overhead.
- C. Incorrect.
Multicast Source Discovery Protocol (MSDP) is used in conjunction with PIM-SM to share multicast source information between RPs in different domains. However, it is not required in an SSM model, as SSM does not use RPs.
- D. Incorrect.
PIM Bidirectional (PIM-Bidir) is suitable for many-to-many multicast applications where traffic flows bidirectionally between sources and receivers. It is not optimal for SSM, which is a one-to-many model.