Bidir PIM in Simple Steps: How It Works With A LAB Demo

Bidirectional PIM (often referred to as Bidir PIM or Bidirectional Multicast) is a PIM operating mode that enhances traditional ASM PIM by creating bidirectional multicast distribution trees. Unlike unidirectional trees (RPT & SPT), where traffic flows only from sources to receivers or RPs, bidirectional trees allow communication in both directions.

This video article covers the following:

  • What is Bidir PIM? Why does it matter? And how does it work?
  • A LAB demo shows the Bidir PIM configuration in Nexus switches.

Summary

  • ASM works efficiently with a relatively small number of multicast senders. However, it becomes less efficient with a large number of senders, receivers, and Multicast Group Addresses.
  • Bidirectional PIM solves the ASM scale inefficiency by slightly changing the rules used by PIM-SM ASM.
  • Bidir uses bidirectional shared trees, whereas ASM relies on unidirectional shared and source trees.
  • Bidir PIM RFC-5015.
  • Bidir PIM RP redundancy is achieved by the Phantom RP mechanism.

Need Comprehensive Multicast Content?

I hope this article was helpful. If you want comprehensive content about Multicast, check out my Cisco Data Centers | Multicast course on Udemy.

author avatar
Salman Alhiary Expert Network Consultant
In the networking field since 2010, 2× CCIE (ENT & DC) and founder of LearnWithSalman—specializes in Cisco Data Center networking and automation. A former Cisco TAC engineer and now an Expert Professional Services consultant, he delivers lab-first tutorials, deep templates, and repeatable playbooks through his Udemy courses and technical blog, all built from real enterprise projects.
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