role of Mapping Agent in Auto-RP ?

[mohammed hashim]

hi,

Mapping Agent (or Management Agent) is used to multicast RP address to all PIM SM routers,

Auto-RP uses 224.0.1.39:496 to send its information to MAs

MAs uses 224.0.1.40:496 to send these information to all PIM SM routers

both these information has to be distributed over PIM DM to avoid chicken and egg problem.

my question is why do we need Mapping Agent, cannot we just let the RPs flood their information through 224.0.1.39:496 using DM and all downstream SM routers receive them !!?

thanks, 

[mohammed hashim]

any help please

[dmuinoorallo]

I think this link resolve your doubts.

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/ios/solutions_docs/ip_multicast/White_papers/rps.html