31.1.2 IPv6 multicast routing functionality

The Switch forwards received IPv6 multicast packets based on IPv6 multicast forwarding entries. IPv6 multicast routing functionality consists of the following three types of functionality:

• IPv6 multicast group management functionality

  This functionality sends and receives IPv6 group membership information to learn about the existence of IPv6 multicast groups. For the Switch, the MLD (Multicast Listener Discovery) protocol is used.

• IPv6 path control functionality

  This functionality sends and receives routing information to determine forwarding paths and to create IPv6 multicast routing information and IPv6multicast forwarding entries. PIM-SM (including PIM-SSM) is used to collect routing information.

• IPv6 forwarding functionality

  This functionality forwards IPv6 multicast packets by using hardware and software based on IPv6 multicast forwarding entries.

  The IPv6 forwarding functionality of the Switch can be used with the QoS functionality or Filter functionality to enable the QoS functionality or filter out unnecessary packets in IPv6 multicast communication.