# Source Specific Multicast (SSM) **URL:** \ **Category:** Lessons Discussion\ **Created:** [December 26, 2016, 5:44pm UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/source-specific-multicast-ssm/991 "2016-12-26T17:44:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ReneMolenaar](https://cdn-forum.networklessons.com/user_avatar/forum.networklessons.com/renemolenaar/32/488_2.png) [@ReneMolenaar](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/ReneMolenaar)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2016, 5:44pm UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/source-specific-multicast-ssm/991/1 "2016-12-26T17:44:30Z")
This topic is to discuss the following lesson: > **[Source Specific Multicast (SSM)](https://networklessons.com/multicast/source-specific-multicast-ssm)** > > Source Specific Multicast (SSM) uses IGMPv3 to join multicast groups only from certain source addresses. ---
**Author:** ![ReneMolenaar](https://cdn-forum.networklessons.com/user_avatar/forum.networklessons.com/renemolenaar/32/488_2.png) [@ReneMolenaar](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/ReneMolenaar)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 10:34pm UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/source-specific-multicast-ssm/991/2 "2013-10-18T22:34:12Z")
Dear Sir, You explain in a very good way, your explanation make the tough things simpler. Thanks for your contribution to the Networking Society. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://cdn-forum.networklessons.com/uploads/default/original/1X/1d2ef66728c7fbac8377748594345a3f474fce5f.png) [@system](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2014, 7:27pm UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/source-specific-multicast-ssm/991/3 "2014-02-17T19:27:09Z")
Thats a good explanation Rene. But my concern is what about the need to enable ssm map. When to use this map n all… ---
**Author:** ![talk2seeni](https://cdn-forum.networklessons.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@talk2seeni](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/talk2seeni)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2015, 4:39pm UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/source-specific-multicast-ssm/991/4 "2015-06-18T16:39:22Z")
Hi Rene, I am a beginner and interested in learning IGMP and PIM protocols . Can you please point me the links to start these protocols? Thanks, Srini ---
**Author:** ![ulrich](https://cdn-forum.networklessons.com/user_avatar/forum.networklessons.com/ulrich/32/895_2.png) [@ulrich](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/ulrich)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2018, 5:30am UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/source-specific-multicast-ssm/991/5 "2018-04-08T05:30:46Z")
Rene, Can we enable SSM with Dense-mode? Regards, Ulrich ---
**Author:** ![lagapidis](https://cdn-forum.networklessons.com/user_avatar/forum.networklessons.com/lagapidis/32/4949_2.png) [@lagapidis](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/lagapidis)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2018, 4:07pm UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/source-specific-multicast-ssm/991/6 "2018-04-10T16:07:31Z")
Hello DJAN When configuring SSM, you can use either sparse mode or sparse-dense mode. More information on configuring SSM can be found here: > **[IP Multicast: PIM Configuration Guide - Configuring Source Specific...](https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/ios-xml/ios/ipmulti_pim/configuration/xe-16/imc-pim-xe-16-book/imc-ssm.html)** > > IP Multicast: PIM Configuration Guide -Configuring Source Specific Multicast I hope this has been helpful! Laz ---
**Author:** ![ulrich](https://cdn-forum.networklessons.com/user_avatar/forum.networklessons.com/ulrich/32/895_2.png) [@ulrich](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/ulrich)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2018, 10:27am UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/source-specific-multicast-ssm/991/7 "2018-04-11T10:27:21Z")
Laz, Thank for r answer. Cheers! ---
**Author:** ![vanya](https://cdn-forum.networklessons.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/v/7ea924/32.png) [@vanya](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/vanya)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2018, 3:27pm UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/source-specific-multicast-ssm/991/8 "2018-06-29T15:27:37Z")
Does PIM-SSM “flood” multicast between routers, or is the routing table built dynamically without flooding? Using the word “flood” very loosely, we are trying to avoid having to forward all of our video streams to an RP, and need avoid any type of Dense mode or similar behavior; we are working with very high bit rate streams on 10G interfaces, up to 9Gbps for slightly compressed 4K60 4:4:4 Video. ---
**Author:** ![ReneMolenaar](https://cdn-forum.networklessons.com/user_avatar/forum.networklessons.com/renemolenaar/32/488_2.png) [@ReneMolenaar](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/ReneMolenaar)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 10:38am UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/source-specific-multicast-ssm/991/9 "2018-07-13T10:38:52Z")
Hi Vanya, It’s not flooded. With sparse mode, we initially use an RP as a central point since we don’t know where the source is. Once we learn the source, we switch to SPT (unless you disable this). With SSM, you **have** to specify the source so that’s why you don’t need the RP. Traffic is forwarded with sparse mode. Rene ---
**Author:** ![vanya](https://cdn-forum.networklessons.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/v/7ea924/32.png) [@vanya](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/vanya)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2018, 2:38pm UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/source-specific-multicast-ssm/991/10 "2018-07-13T14:38:13Z")
Thanks Rene! Generally speaking, how long does the transition from RPT to SPT take? Is the timing configurable? Regards, Vanya ---
**Author:** ![ReneMolenaar](https://cdn-forum.networklessons.com/user_avatar/forum.networklessons.com/renemolenaar/32/488_2.png) [@ReneMolenaar](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/ReneMolenaar)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2018, 9:12am UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/source-specific-multicast-ssm/991/11 "2018-07-24T09:12:31Z")
Hi Vanya, SPT switchover is fast. It happens right after the first data packet is received so it’s not based on a timer. The advantage of using source trees is that the delay is lower. After all, it is the shortest path from the source to a receiver. The disadvantage is that it requires more memory since you need to keep track of multiple states. You can use the `ip pim spt-threshold` command to define when you want to switch to SPT. By default it’s set to 0 kbps so it switches right away after receiving the first data packet. You can also configure it never to switch to SPT or once you exceed a certain threshold (in kbps). Rene ---
**Author:** ![devaprem12](https://cdn-forum.networklessons.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/4bbf92/32.png) [@devaprem12](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/devaprem12)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2020, 12:21pm UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/source-specific-multicast-ssm/991/12 "2020-01-26T12:21:05Z")
SSM need PIM neighbor to establish ? ---
**Author:** ![lagapidis](https://cdn-forum.networklessons.com/user_avatar/forum.networklessons.com/lagapidis/32/4949_2.png) [@lagapidis](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/lagapidis)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2020, 11:51am UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/source-specific-multicast-ssm/991/13 "2020-01-27T11:51:31Z")
Hello Devaprem In order to enable SSM, PIM must be enabled. You must also be running IGMPv3 in order to enable SSM. You can find out more about it at the following lesson: > **[Source Specific Multicast (SSM)](https://networklessons.com/multicast/source-specific-multicast-ssm)** > > Source Specific Multicast (SSM) uses IGMPv3 to join multicast groups only from certain source addresses. I hope this has been helpful! Laz ---
**Author:** ![jaygk95](https://cdn-forum.networklessons.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/77aa72/32.png) [@jaygk95](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/jaygk95)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2020, 4:20pm UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/source-specific-multicast-ssm/991/14 "2020-02-18T16:20:27Z")
Hi Laz, This pdf link is no longer valid. Do you have a copy of the document elsewhere or can you summarize the purpose of the pdf? Thank you, Jay Karson ---
**Author:** ![lagapidis](https://cdn-forum.networklessons.com/user_avatar/forum.networklessons.com/lagapidis/32/4949_2.png) [@lagapidis](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/lagapidis)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2020, 6:45am UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/source-specific-multicast-ssm/991/15 "2020-02-19T06:45:41Z")
Hello Jay Thanks for pointing that out, here’s the new link: > **[IP Multicast: PIM Configuration Guide - Configuring Source Specific...](https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/ios-xml/ios/ipmulti_pim/configuration/xe-16/imc-pim-xe-16-book/imc-ssm.html)** > > IP Multicast: PIM Configuration Guide -Configuring Source Specific Multicast I’ve updated the above post as well. Thanks again! Laz ---
**Author:** ![Ciscobiscuit](https://cdn-forum.networklessons.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/35a633/32.png) [@Ciscobiscuit](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/Ciscobiscuit)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2021, 11:37pm UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/source-specific-multicast-ssm/991/16 "2021-01-28T23:37:04Z")
If I set up multicast as normal with an RP and dont use this command `ip pim ssm default` and configure the multicast destination addresses in the 232 /8 range what will happen ? Will the router know that I want to use SSM just by me using that 232 /8 address range or do you need the `ip pim ssm default` command ? I know SSM doesn’t use the RP obviously but I’m wondering what would happen ? Is it mandatory to use igmp version 3 on the source port and destination port as Rene mentions in the lesson if I am implementing this on L3 switches and also would this then need to be also added to all SVI’s on those layer 3 switches. If the destination was a server for example would this server normally be where the configuration of where he wants to source the multicast traffic from be configured. We have a large production network but I’m not sure multicasting is set up correctly. All SVI’s are running pim sparse-dense mode All are L3 switches configured with Auto RP and static config pointing to the RP so that is fine but when I look at `show ip mroute` on any of the switches I can see all addresses are in the 232 /8 range so I then wonder the point of having the RP but even more strangely the `show IP mroute` table shows all these 232 /8 are shown in a star,G state ie for example you may see something like (\*, 232.22.22.23) etc, and none show as S,G (source, group) I may be wrong but even when the ssm traffic is traversing between SVI’s I would expect to see s,g state and not \*,g Then if I check something like `show ip igmp snooping groups` I can still see these addresses but the IGMP version shows as V1 and V2 which further confuses me as I though you need igmp V3 for SSM. Maybe its possible to use the 232/8 range for non ssm if we dont use the command `ip pim ssm default` ? but it would be strange for someone to choose that range in the first place I think or can that range be used as “normal” multicast also ? Also the outgoing interface list (oil) is empty on all svi’s on all switches. they will all show multicast addresses in the (star,232/8) range and also empty oil. If this multicasting is not working correctly is it possible the receiver is still getting the multicast through other means such as flooding etc. ? ---
**Author:** ![lagapidis](https://cdn-forum.networklessons.com/user_avatar/forum.networklessons.com/lagapidis/32/4949_2.png) [@lagapidis](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/lagapidis)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2021, 1:54pm UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/source-specific-multicast-ssm/991/17 "2021-02-01T13:54:03Z")
Hello Sean If you use the command `ip ssm default`, as in the lesson, then the 232.0.0.0/8 range is used by default. Alternatively, you can use the `ip ssm range ACL_NAME` where the the ACL\_NAME is the name of the access list that defines the multicast address range you want to define. This way, you can use a range different from 232.0.0.0/8. In both cases, if you try to join a group outside of the specified range (either default, or otherwise specified) it will be dropped. > [@Ciscobiscuit](#): > > Will the router know that I want to use SSM just by me using that 232 /8 address range or do you need the “ip pim ssm default” > command ? No, the router will not know you want to use SSM simply the the range being used. You must use the `ip pim ssm` command. > [@Ciscobiscuit](#): > > Is it mandatory to use igmp version 3 on the source port and destination port as Rene mentions > in the lesson if I am implementing this on L3 switches and also would this then need to be also added to all SVI’s > on those layer 3 switches. IGMPv3 is necessary for SSM to function, and all participating routed ports must have IGMPv3 enabled. > [@Ciscobiscuit](#): > > Maybe its possible to use the 232/8 range for non ssm if we dont use the command “ip pim ssm default” ? Yes, it is possible to use this range just like any other multicast group if you do not enable SSM. You can find some more info about SSM at this Cisco documentation: > **[IP Multicast Routing Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS Release 15.2(2)E...](https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst3750x_3560x/software/release/15-2_2_e/multicast/configuration_guide/b_mc_1522e_3750x_3560x_cg/b_mc_3750x_3560x_chapter_01.html)** > > Hardcoded placeholder description! I hope this has been helpful! Laz ---
**Author:** ![Ciscobiscuit](https://cdn-forum.networklessons.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/35a633/32.png) [@Ciscobiscuit](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/Ciscobiscuit)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2022, 9:00pm UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/source-specific-multicast-ssm/991/18 "2022-07-09T21:00:08Z")
Thanks Laz, I was just reading through this lesson again and many thanks for your brilliant answers to my questions above, I was just reading over them again as a refresher. It really cleared up a lot of areas for me. But I just have one more question - Is it at all possible to run Source specific multicast and Any source multicast on the same devices or network ? For example if I setup everything correctly for SSM including “ip ssm default” command but if I also configured a regular randezvous point with Bootstrap router etc. or even statically adding the randezvous point on the devices would I be able to run ASM and SSM side by side ? Is it all or nothing once I enable ssm with “ip ssm default” command ? Does it mean it will only run ssm and no asm or can I run ssm and asm together on the same network ? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![lagapidis](https://cdn-forum.networklessons.com/user_avatar/forum.networklessons.com/lagapidis/32/4949_2.png) [@lagapidis](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/lagapidis)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2022, 7:25am UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/source-specific-multicast-ssm/991/19 "2022-07-12T07:25:17Z")
Hello Sean It is possible to run both SSM and any source multicast on the same network. When you enable SSM, you enable it for a particular range. As we said in previous posts, that range is 232.0.0.0/8 if it is not specified, or you can specify it using an ACL. If a host tries to join any group within the specified SSM range **without specifying a source** , that join request **will be dropped**. However, if a host attempts to join any group that is not within the specified SSM range without specifying a source, that join message will be accepted and will behave like a normal anysource multicast. I hope this has been helpful! Laz ---
**Author:** ![Ciscobiscuit](https://cdn-forum.networklessons.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/35a633/32.png) [@Ciscobiscuit](https://forum.networklessons.com/u/Ciscobiscuit)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2022, 4:27pm UTC](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/source-specific-multicast-ssm/991/20 "2022-08-26T16:27:33Z")
Thanks Lazaros, I have a strange question in regards to SSM and hoping that maybe you can shed some light on it - I have a large network. I am running layer 2 multicast with just a querier. All is setup correctly. Everything is set as defaults so IGMPv2 is in use on all switches. We have many different applications using multicast on that subnet. When I do `show ip igmp snooping groups` I can obviously see all the multicast addresses and the ports that they are joining. There is a couple of hundred multicast address but approx 20 of these are SSM multicast addresses (232 /8) The application vendor has sinced moved on so we cant ask them about the exact setup but from time to time this application has issues. What I’m wondering is can SSM work with IGMPv2 at layer 2 ? I understand if I was using multicast routing IGMPv3 and PIM is a requirement for SSM but what about a regular layer 2 multicast network with just a regular querier setup, does this also require IGMPv3 for SSM ? or could it be possibly working with IGMPV2 ? as stated when i do “show ip igmp snooping groups” I can see the SSM groups mapped to the ports in the output so it “appears” to be working. Is there something special with IGMPv3 only that will be required to make this work or is there a chance that given I’m not using multicast routing that it may be working with IGMPV2 on a layer 2 multicast network with just a querier ? [Next page](https://forum.networklessons.com/t/source-specific-multicast-ssm/991.md?page=2)