Configuring Layer 2 Multicast Entry Limit

Usage Scenario

As IPTV service applications become increasingly popular among consumers, multicast services are widely deployed. The following problems may arise when IPTV services are deployed on a Layer 2 network:

• Sparsely distributed multicast groups (programs) may increase network deployment burdens.
• If network bandwidth is insufficient, the aggregation network cannot bear all multicast traffic, which degrades subscribers' image experience.

To solve the preceding problems, Layer 2 multicast entry limit can be used to control IPTV services on the aggregation network based on different criteria, including global multicast group number limits. Layer 2 multicast entry limit enables service providers to offer more flexible and refined contents and subscriber-specific policies to ensure service quality for most subscribers.

On the network shown in Figure 1, a UPE is downlinked to CEs through a VLAN or VPLS network. Layer 2 multicast entry limit can be deployed on the UPE to limit the multicast group number for IPTV channels delivered by the UPE to CEs.

Figure 1 Layer 2 multicast entry limit networking

For details, see Table 1.

Pre-configuration Tasks

Before configuring Layer 2 multicast entry limit, complete the following tasks:

• Connect and configure interfaces correctly to ensure that the link layer protocol status of the interfaces is Up.

• Complete basic VLAN or VSI configurations.

• Enable IGMP snooping on the device where multicast entry limit is to be enabled and for the VLAN or VSI where the device resides.