Introduction
Multicast support on different WLC platform when using Local and Flexconnect AP mode.
Parameters affect Multicast forwarding
- WLC platform.
- Global AP Multicast mode config at WLC.
- Mode of the AP - Local, Flexconnect central switching.
- With flex Local switching, it doesn't even send/receive the packet to/from WLC, so it doesn't matter what Multicast mode is configured on wlc.
Multicast support on different WLC platforms
- WLC 5500/WiSM2/8500 supports both Multicast and Unicast mode.
- WLC 2500 supports Multicast to Multicast only.
- WLC 7500 & vWLC supports Multicast to Unicast only. Supports Flex APs only.
Flexconnect mode AP can't join Multicast group address configured at WLC
Flexconnect mode AP can't join Multicast group address configured at WLC -> AP mode Multicast to Multicast. Since it is not joined to the Multicast group, it can't receive Multicast packet that are sent by WLC(and Multicast packet sent by flex central switching will be received by local mode APs only). If Multicast needs to be forwarded for flexconnect central switching then configure AP mode Multicast to Unicast. Remember, it is global config that's applicable for local mode AP also.
WLC 5500/WiSM2/8500 supports both Multicast and Unicast mode
When mix of local mode AP and flex central switching is used where flex centrally switched wlan need to forward/receive Multicast traffic then need to set "AP Multicast mode to Unicast only". (With Multicast mode enabled, WLC can't send one copy to the Multicast address and individual copies to the Flex mode APs.)
WLC 2500 supports Multicast to Multicast only
Flex central switched APs can't receive Multicast packets since it doesn't support Unicast mode. Use Local mode AP or Flex local switching as workaround in this case.
WLC 7500 & vWLC supports Multicast to Unicast only. Supports Flex APs only.
It supports only Flex APs, so Multicast to Unicast is the only applicable config that is allowed.
Note: When mDNS is enabled for Bonjour. AP Multicast mode config doesn't matter because the downlink discover transaction doesn't get forwarded to wireless.
Verification:
An Local and Flexconnect mode AP joined to the WLC.
On WLC, AP Multicast mode set to Multicast with address 239.1.1.20
How to verify the Local mode AP joined to the Multicast or not?
Local-2602i#show capwap mcast
CAPWAP MULTICAST
Multicast Group: 239.1.1.20, Source: 10.201.236.197
V1 Rpt Sent: 0; V2 Rpt Sent: 106
V3 Rpt Sent: 0; Leave Sent: 1
V1 Query Rcvd: 0; V2 Query Rcvd: 105
V3 Query Rcvd: 0; V1 Rpt Rcvd: 0
V2 Rpt Rcvd: 104; V3 Rpt Rcvd: 0
How to verify the Flexconnect mode AP did not join the Multicast group?
Flexconnect-1142#show capwap mcast
CAPWAP MULTICAST
No Multicast Group Configured
Source
Multicast questions
