A process of transmitting PDUs from one source to many destinations. The actual mechanism (that is, IP multicast, multi-unicast, and so forth) for this process might be different for LAN technologies.

Transmitting messages to a select group of recipients in a network. In the DirecPC world, this select group of recipients is called a community.

A networking term for a packet which has multiple recipients. The contrast of unicast.

Another feature possible with DTV, allowing a TV station to broadcast multiple programs using the same amount of bandwidth. It is possible to broadcast four, five, even six SDTV programs over one channel.

In streaming media, it is the method of carrying a compressed video signal across multiple routers to various clients.[[ | | | | | | | | | JK | | | | | | | | | | | | | XYZ

An efficient, one-to-many form of streaming. Users can join or leave a multicast but cannot otherwise interact with it.

As opposed to broadcast, a signal transmitted to only a subset of potential destinations.

An Internet technology for transmitting data simultaneously to many receivers without the need to replicate the data.

It allows to transmit data to multiple receivers.

This term refers to the Internet protocol that allows a single IP address (the host) to send a packet to multiple destinations at once with a single, local transmit operation. It also is used in video streaming to enable the broadcasting of video to multiple recipients at once.

A mode of Internet distribution which allows a single output from one server to be repeatedly split by 'multicast enabled' routers and hence available to multiple connections. Therefore unlike unicast (q.v.) it can only be used to receive live streaming and not for on-demand. Return to

A technique that allows copies of a single packet to be broadcast to a specified number of hosts.

A technique that allows copies of a single packet or cell to be passed to a selected subset of all possible destinations.

Transmits copies of a single packet to multiple ports.

A form of broadcast where copies of a packet are delivered only to a subset of all possible destinations.

a transmission from one source to many stations that register to receive the traffic

Used for broadcasting large events over the Internet. Allows a single computer to create the content (concert, film, etc.) and many computers to play the same single stream simultaneously.

Is similar to broadcast. Multicast data, once requested by one person, can be received by any number of people. Multicasting is therefore a very efficient way of sending data from a single server to millions of simultaneous users. Once the data stream is being broadcast, any other user can choose to select the same stream after receiving the necessary parameters from the originating server. This allows service providers the choice of providing the content freely, on a subscription basis or via pay-per-view. Content providers can therefore "push" their content over satellite for reception. This solution is ideal for Web broadcasting of, say, weather, news, financial information and sports, as well as for audio/video streaming and customised services. No return link is required.

A technique for sending broadcast packets to a limited group of hosts supported by IP and some hardware technologies (e.g. Ethernet). Multicast groups are administered by hosts using IGMP.

A simultaneous broadcast of multiple transmissions, or "streams" of digital program or data content.

Multicast is a subset of broadcast that extends the broadcast concept of one to many by allowing "the sending of one transmission to many users in a defined group, but not necessarily to all users in that group."

A one-way point to multi-point routing and relaying service that allows a message to be addressed and delivered to all members of a group, regardless of their current location.

The transmission of information over the Internet to two or more users at the same time.

To transmit a single message to a select group of recipients. A simple example of multicasting is sending an e-mail message to a mailing list. Teleconferencing and videoconferencing also use multicasting, but require more robust protocols and networks.

A process of transmitting messages from one source to may destinations.

A type of network addressing that enables a node to send messages or data packets to an address that represents a group of stations rather than a single station.

A routing technique that allows IP traffic to be sent from one source or multiple sources and delivered to multiple destinations. Instead of sending individual packets to each destination, a single packet is sent to a group of destinations known as a multicast group, which is identified by a single IP destination group address. Multicast addressing supports the transmission of a single IP datagram to multiple hosts.

The transmission of data (packet) from a transmitter (server) to multiple receivers (workstations) at the same time. Compare with broadcast and unicast.

Multicast is communication between a single sender and multiple receivers on a network. Typical uses include the updating of mobile personnel from a home office and the periodic issuance of online newsletters.

1. n. Transmission of the same data to a selected group of destinations. 2. n. A special form of broadcast in which copies of a packet are delivered to only a subset of all possible destinations.

A server sends out a single stream of data to which many recipients connect to (much like television or radio). Compare to unicast (below) it is far more efficient in bandwidth usage.

Single packets sent to a single subset of network addresses.

Transmitting the same media stream simultaneously to many recipients. See also - Narrowcast

To send messages to multiple tasks. See also broadcast.

One host multicasts when it wants multiple machines (typically on a WAN) to receive the packet or information. See also anycast, broadcast, unicast.

A frame that is simultaneously transmitted to more than one destination.

Bandwidth-conserving technology that reduces bandwidth usage by simultaneously delivering a single stream of information to multiple network recipients. See also Unicast.

To broadcast an audio or video message over a network using special software such as Real Audio.

Communication between a single sender and a select group of multiple receivers on a network as in sending an e-mail message to a mailing list.

Transmit a data stream to a select group of participants. See also broadcast, unicast.

A packet, or transmission, destined for many clients.

If broadcast transmissions go to all the viewers in a region (or set), then multicast includes transmissions that are sent to a defined subset within the entire set of viewers. See Unicast.

The process of sending messages to a defined set of destinations. Unlike a broadcast, which is read by all destinations that receive them, a multicast is received only by those destinations that are part of a predefined group configured to receive multicast messages.

To transmit information to a group of recipients via a single transmission by the source, in contrast to Unicast, Broadcast. See also IP Multicast.

A transmission initiated by one station and sent to many stations on the network.

To send a message to many, but not necessarily all possible recipient processes.

A signal transmitted to only a subset of potential destinations (as opposed to a broadcast), typically over an Internet Protocol (IP) network. See IP multicast.

Process where a single stream is severed from one server to multiple clients.

The broadcast of messages to a selected group of workstations on a LAN, WAN or the Internet. Multicast is communication between a single device and multiple members of a device group.

A point-to-point means of transmitting data, especially useful for multiviewer video. Standard TCP connections are unicast, that is, single sender and single recipient - to send a data stream to 10 viewers would require 10 separate data streams. An alternative is broadcast, which is single point to every recipient but the traffic goes to more viewers than have requested it, hence affecting their links into the network. Multicast is point to multipoint, which means a single stream from a server goes simultaneously to the set of recipients that it is intended for. Return

A packet that is destined for multiple hosts. See broadcast.

Delivering a single stream that branches to multiple recipients. Results in a single stream in the delivery pipe and greatly reduces network congestion.

A packet with a special destination address which multiple nodes on the network may be willing to receive. See also: broadcast.

Multicast is a feature that refers to single packets copied by the network and sent to a specific subset of network addresses. These addresses are specified in the Destination Address Field. See also unicast.

Single packets copied by the network and sent to a specific subset of network addresses. These addresses are specified in the Destination Address Field. Compare with broadcast and unicast.

A method of transmitting data to be received and used by multiple network devices, with user group addresses ranging from 224.0.0.0 to 239.255.255.255. Also known as Class-D IP Addresses.

Communication between a single sender and select, multiple receivers on a network. Glossary N

Single packets copied to a specific subset of network addresses. These addresses are specified in the destination-address field of the packet.

Multicast (point-to-multipoint) is a communication pattern in which a source host sends a message to a group of destination hosts. Although, this can be done by sending different unicast (point-to-point) messages to each of the destination hosts, there are many reasons which make having the multicasting capability desirable. The first major advantage of using multicasting is the decrease of the network load.

Simultaneous transmission of content from a single source to large numbers of wireless subscribers. Usually refers to the delivery of a wide variety of TV-like programming to wireless devices. See Also: DVB-H, MediaFLO MDS, MediaFLO System, Multicast, OFDM

A multicast is a message that is sent out to multiple devices on the network by a host.

A message sent simultaneously to a specific group of nodes on a network. Also see Broadcast Network Node

Transmitting the same message to multiple recipients at the same time. Unlike broadcasting, multicasting sends messages to specific groups instead of sending it to everyone. It is a one-to-few-to-many transmission. Networking

A single stream of data only sent to the portions of the network where there are users interested in receiving it. Multicasting provides optimum bandwidth efficiency over networks.

A special form of broadcast where copies of the packet are delivered to only a subset of all possible destinations.

To transmit a message to a select group of recipients. Contrast this with broadcasting, which involves sending a message to everyone connected to a network. back to the top

Single packets copied to a specific subset of network addresses. These addresses are specified in the destination-address field. In contrast, in a broadcast, packets are sent to all devices in a network.

is a technique in which packets are simultaneously sent to multiple recipients on a network. More specifically, multicast is a mechanism for defining groups of nodes, and sending IP messages to that group, rather than to every node on the LAN (broadcast), or just a single node (unicast). It is often used to send an audio and/or video program to multiple users on a network more efficiently. The efficiency is realized by sending only one data stream from the file server, rather than one stream for each recipient. The digital data stream is duplicated as necessary in the downstream path by routers and/or switches in order to account for different signal paths to the end-users. multihomed

A process which allows a server to send a single stream to multiple recipients. This is different from traditional streaming media, where each user connects separately to a server.

Simultaneous transmission of data to a defined group of destinations on a network.

The communication between a single sender and multiple receivers over a network.

A one-to-many connection in which multiple clients can receive the same stream from a server. To receive a multicast, a client must have access to a multicast-enabled network. In contrast, a unicast is a one-to-one connection in which one client receives a distinct stream from a server.

Multicast extends the broadcast concept of one to many by allowing the sending of one transmission to many users in a defined group, but not necessarily to all users in that group. Multicast is frequently used for data broadcast applications.

an audio or video communication made to a select group of multiple destinations simultaneously, or two-way communication such as videoconferencing, teleconferencing, or e-mail.

Operation of sending network traffic from one network node to multiple network nodes.

Network traffic destined for a set of hosts that belong to a multicast group.

A content delivery method in which a single stream is transmitted from a media server to multiple clients. The clients have no connection with the server. Instead, the server sends a single copy of the stream across the network to multicast-enabled routers, which replicate the data. Clients can then receive the stream by monitoring a specific multicast IP address and port.

A message that is sent to a specific group of hosts. Back

The transmission of a message when sent to a specific group of nodes on a network. See also broadcast.

To Transmit a message to multiple recipients at the same time. Multicasting is used in teleconferencing and data communications networks. Multicasting is a one-to-many transmission that implies sending to several designated recipients, whereas broadcast implies sending to anyone who wants to receive the broadcast on the connected network.

A transmission of network traffic intended for multiple hosts (but not all connected hosts) within a network or internet.

Multicast is the delivery of information to a group of destinations simultaneously using the most efficient strategy to deliver the messages over each link of the network only once, creating copies only when the links to the destinations split.