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350-401 · Question #610

Which enhancement does IGMP version 3 offer over IGMP version 2?

The correct answer is A. support for Source Specific Multicast. IGMPv3's key enhancement over IGMPv2 is its ability to support Source Specific Multicast, allowing hosts to specify which multicast sources they want to receive traffic from.

Submitted by asante_acc· Mar 6, 2026Infrastructure

Question

Which enhancement does IGMP version 3 offer over IGMP version 2?

Options

  • Asupport for Source Specific Multicast
  • Ba mechanism to decrease leave latency
  • Cauthentication of multicast streams
  • Dbackward compatibility with IGMP version 1

How the community answered

(45 responses)
  • A
    89% (40)
  • B
    7% (3)
  • C
    2% (1)
  • D
    2% (1)

Why each option

IGMPv3's key enhancement over IGMPv2 is its ability to support Source Specific Multicast, allowing hosts to specify which multicast sources they want to receive traffic from.

Asupport for Source Specific MulticastCorrect

IGMPv3 introduces the capability for hosts to explicitly specify the sources from which they wish to receive multicast traffic, a feature known as Source Specific Multicast (SSM), which was not available in IGMPv2.

Ba mechanism to decrease leave latency

While IGMPv3 refines group leave messaging, the primary and most significant enhancement regarding new functionality is SSM, and IGMPv2 already had mechanisms like Leave Group messages to decrease leave latency.

Cauthentication of multicast streams

IGMP is a signaling protocol for group membership and does not provide authentication for multicast streams; this functionality is typically handled at higher layers or by other security protocols.

Dbackward compatibility with IGMP version 1

All versions of IGMP are designed with some level of backward compatibility, but this is a general design principle for protocol evolution and not a unique enhancement of IGMPv3 over IGMPv2.

Concept tested: IGMPv3 Source Specific Multicast capabilities

Source: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst4500/12-2/50sg/configuration/guide/config/ipmcast.html

Topics

#IGMPv3#IGMPv2#Source Specific Multicast#Multicast Protocols

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