What is Multicast?
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. The word “Multicast” typically refers to IP Multicast, the implementation of the multicast concept on the IP routing level, where routers create optimal distribution paths for datagrams sent to a multicast destination address spanning tree in real time; however, listed below are other implementations of the multicast distribution strategy: • Internet Relay Chat • NNTP • PSYC • Peercasting using peer-to-peer protocols • WWCP Note: The word “Multicast” sometimes refers to a multiplexed broadcast; this is different from the Multicast discussed in this document.
