interface Sparse mode and interface sparse-dense mode

[Charlie Grey]

these 2 different mode interfaces, can they form neighbor?

[Richard Burts]

I am not sure that I really understand your question. In my understanding becoming neighbors means that devices recognize each other and actively exchange information with each other in a bidirectional relationship. sparse and sparse-dense mode enable an interface to process multicast advertisements. But there is not a relationship or bidirectional exchange of information. If this is not what you were meaning then please clarify.

[Giuseppe Larosa · Accepted solution]

Hello @Charlie Grey ,

if the question is can two devices interoperate in a common link if one side is configured for sparse mode and one side is configured for sparse-dense mode the answer is that it depends on the multicast address G.

if G is considered in sparse mode for both devices and they agree on the IP address of the RP to be used there is interoperabiility.

if G is considered in dense mode on side B, and sparse mode on the other side of the link there is no interoperability.

Dense mode uses different message types and tries to flood and prune . sparse mode uses explicit Join that is the opposite.

Hope to help

Giuseppe