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One of the two Protocol
Independent Multicast (PIM) operational modes. PIM sparse mode tries to
constrain data distribution so that a minimal number of routers in the network
receive it. Packets are sent only if they are explicitly requested at the
rendezvous point (RP). In sparse mode, receivers are widely distributed, and
the assumption is that downstream networks will not necessarily use the
datagrams that are sent to them. The cost of using sparse mode is its reliance
on the periodic refreshing of explicit join messages and its need for RPs.
Sometimes called sparse mode PIM or PIM SM. Contrast with PIM dense
mode. See also PIM and RP (rendezvous
point).
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