You can configure the multicast stream limitation feature to limit the number of multicast groups that can join a VLAN. By limiting the number of concurrent multicast streams, a service provider can, for example, protect the bandwidth on a specific interface and control access to multicast streams.
Use multicast stream limitation in an environment where you want to limit users to a certain number of multicast streams simultaneously. For example, a television service provider can limit the number of television channels a user can watch at a time. (To a television service provider, a multicast stream is synonymous with a television channel.) If a user purchases a service contract for two single-tuner television receivers, they can use two channels flowing at the same time, but not a third. The service provider can control the bandwidth usage in addition to preventing users from watching more than the allowed number of channels at a point in time.
You can enable the multicast stream limitation feature on the switch by using one of the following methods:
for each interface—This limitation controls the total number of streams for all clients on this brouter port.
for each VLAN—This limitation controls the total number of streams for all clients on this VLAN. This method is equivalent to the interface stream limitation.
for each VLAN port—This limitation controls the number of streams for all clients on this VLAN port. This method is equivalent to the interface port stream limitation.
You can configure the maximum number of streams for each limit independently. After the number of streams meets the limit, the interface drops additional join reports for new streams. The maximum number of streams for each limit is 65535 and the default is 4.