- #1
djeipa
- 47
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What is multicast ? I heard people say multicast but why isn't there unicast ?
What is Multicast? Why Not Unicast?
- Thread starter djeipa
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SUMMARY
Multicast is a networking protocol that allows a single packet of information to be sent to multiple users simultaneously, significantly reducing bandwidth usage compared to unicast, where individual packets are sent to each user. For example, streaming to 30 users at 64kbps would require 2MB/sec upload in unicast, while multicast only requires a single transmission. Despite its efficiency, multicast has seen limited adoption in the industry due to a lack of development and business incentives.
PREREQUISITES- Understanding of networking concepts, specifically multicast and unicast protocols.
- Familiarity with bandwidth management and its implications in data transmission.
- Basic knowledge of streaming technologies and their operational requirements.
- Awareness of current trends in network protocol development.
- Research the implementation of multicast in streaming applications.
- Explore the differences between multicast and unicast in detail.
- Learn about the challenges and solutions in multicast deployment.
- Investigate current technologies that utilize multicast, such as IPTV and online gaming.
Network engineers, streaming service developers, and anyone interested in optimizing data transmission methods will benefit from this discussion on multicast and unicast protocols.
- #2
mezarashi
Homework Helper
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Correction: There is unicast! You are using it right now ^_^!
Multicast is a networking term used to mean a protocol in which one packet of information can be send to multiple users instead of sending x packets to all x users (unicast). Suppose your DJing at home and have 30 people tuning in at 64kbps, that's something like 2MB/sec upload on your side, which is not realistic. But while using multicast, this isn't a problem. You just need to send it once. Unfortunately, I haven't seen much development or business incentive with multicast and that's why it's a bit slow to be adopted by companies.
Edit: Oh, lookie what I found on Wikipedia :P
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multicast
Multicast is a networking term used to mean a protocol in which one packet of information can be send to multiple users instead of sending x packets to all x users (unicast). Suppose your DJing at home and have 30 people tuning in at 64kbps, that's something like 2MB/sec upload on your side, which is not realistic. But while using multicast, this isn't a problem. You just need to send it once. Unfortunately, I haven't seen much development or business incentive with multicast and that's why it's a bit slow to be adopted by companies.
Edit: Oh, lookie what I found on Wikipedia :P
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multicast
- #3
djeipa
- 47
- 0
Blew,blew, thanks 
Last edited:
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