What is IGMP?
Have you ever wondered how people participate in a Web conference? Each person comes into contact with the same information all at the same time. This is made possible by a communications protocol known as IGMP or Internet Group Management Protocol. IGMP is a system that utilizes the IP or Internet Protocol to coordinate components of a shared transmission.

IGMP is a fundamental element of the IP multicast requirement. It operates on top of the network layer. However, it functions not as a transport protocol. IGMP is similar to Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) for transmission of similar data to all potential destinations. Video streaming and gaming requires the utilization of a lot of resources. This is why there is a need of IGMP, to back such applications.

IGMP permits multicasting or sending of messages within a group of workstations. Internet hosts involved in multicasting will need IGMP to permit routers to establish memberships within a group. Routers utilize IGMP to identify particular host groups and their members on particular segment of network. IGMP is particularly utilized in hosting streamlining videos as well as network gaming.

IGMP have three known versions.

In August 1989, the initial IGMP version was introduced. This firs version of IGMP was designed to distribute transmission of data coming from a particular source to various workstations or systems. IGMPv1 was shortly integrated with TCP/IP or Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol suite working as a model for IP multicasting.

The fundamentals of IP multicasting is demonstrated by this firs version of IGMP. Moreover, methods for determining both multicasting session and procedure for member registration of a particular session were also established by IGMPv1.

The version 1 packets hold information about the connection type used, including the definite data transmitted. Moreover, to prevent data corruption, a 1-bit checksum is also included.

In November 1997, eight years after the installation of IGMPv1, another version was release and it is known as IGMPv2. As usual, succeeding versions will always bring more improvements than its preceding version. IGMPv2 has improved security compared to its predecessor. As years pass by, networks have also increased in speed. IGMP needs to cope with the speed and that is why IGMPv2 was introduced.

IGMPv2 is capable of handling faster networks and large amounts of data due to its ability to handle increased bandwidths. The version 2 provides references on how it will adopt to network routers and Web hosts. Moreover, IGMPv2 is attributed with simpler packet format as well as versioning information.

Five years later, the third version of IGMP was released on October 2002. The IGMPv3 is comparatively uncomplicated update of what IGMPv2 had offered. IGMPv3 permits quicker reporting of participating clients. IGMPv3 was designed to cope up and adapt to systems equipped with high-bandwidth.

According to the accounts of experienced network users, IGMP is truly great for online gaming and video streaming. However, like any other useful creation of technology, nothing seems to be made or designed perfectly. The downside of IGMP is that it is susceptible to various network attacks.