What will switches with IGMP snooping engaged do?

Switches with IGMP (Internet Group Management Protocol) snooping engaged specifically listen to the IGMP messages that are exchanged between end devices and routers to manage multicast group memberships. When IGMP snooping is active, the switch intelligently monitors which devices (ports) have joined specific multicast groups, allowing it to forward multicast traffic only to those ports that have expressly requested it. This process significantly reduces unnecessary multicast flooding on the network.

By optimizing the multicast traffic flow in this manner, IGMP snooping enhances overall network performance, reducing the load on devices and minimizing bandwidth waste, as multicast frames will not be sent to every port if it isn't needed. This targeted delivery is crucial in a networked environment that relies heavily on multicast streaming, such as audio and video applications using protocols like Dante.