IGMP
IGMP stands for Internet Group Message Protocol. IGMP is a multicasting communication protocol. It utilizes the resources efficiently while broadcasting the messages and data packets. IGMP is also a protocol used by TCP/IP. Other hosts connected in the network and routers makes use of IGMP for multicasting communication that have IP networks. In many networks multicast routers are used in order to transmit the messages to all the nodes. Multicast routers therefore receives large number of packets that needs to be sent. But to broadcast this packets is difficult as it would increase the overall network load. Therefore IGMP helps the multicast routers by addressing them while broadcasting. As multicast communication consists of more than one senders and receivers the Internet Group Message Protocol is majorly used in various applications such as streaming media, web conference tools, games, etc.
How Does IGMP Work?
- Devices that can support dynamic multicasting and multicast groups can use IGMP.
- The host has the ability to join or exit the multicast group using these devices. It is also possible to add and remove customers from the group using these devices.
- The host and local multicast router use this communication protocol. Upon creation of a multicast group, the packet’s destination IP address is changed to the multicast group address, which falls inside the class D IP address range.
Difference between ICMP and IGMP: ICMP vs IGMP
Network Layer Protocols
Network Layer is responsible for the transmission of data or communication from one host to another host connected in a network. Rather than describing how data is transferred, it implements the technique for efficient transmission. In order to provide efficient communication protocols are used at the network layer. The data is being grouped into packets or in the case of extremely large data it is divided into smaller sub packets. Each protocol used has specific features and advantages. The below article covers in detail the protocols used at the network layer.