This read-create object indicates which network address family (e.g. IPv4 or IPv6) this DC-PIM entity supports, and the description notes routers supporting multiple families need separate TM and NM entities per family, with this field only changeable while the entity is NotInService or administratively down. An admin uses this to correctly associate each PIM entity instance with the right address family during initial provisioning. For example, an admin adding IPv6 multicast support alongside existing IPv4 PIM would create a new entity row and set this field to the IPv6 address type before bringing it into service.