What are three important changes implemented in IGMP v2 compared to IGMP v1?

IGMP version 2 introduced several important enhancements over IGMP version 1, which are crucial for more efficient multicast group management.

Group-specific queries are one of the key changes in IGMP v2. While IGMP v1 only allowed a general query to be sent to all multicast group members, IGMP v2 enables the multicast router to send queries specifically directed to a particular multicast group. This improves the accuracy of membership management since the router can pinpoint which groups have active members, resulting in more efficient bandwidth use.

The querier election mechanism is another significant enhancement in IGMP v2. This feature allows multicast routers on the same LAN segment to elect one router as the querier, responsible for soliciting membership information from hosts. This reduces unnecessary query traffic because only the designated querier will send group membership queries, helping to streamline communication and decrease the load on the network.

The leave-group message feature adds functionality that was not present in IGMP v1. With this message, a host can inform the multicast router immediately when it wants to leave a group, facilitating prompt updates to multicast group membership. This allows the multicast router to quickly manage and optimize traffic for active group members, enhancing overall network efficiency.

The combination of these three improvements—group