Multicasting is a network communication process where a message from a single user is received by multiple network endpoints. It can be used for urgent announcements, live video feeds, and audio broadcasts. Multicast is different from email and software addressing and is limited to users connected to the network. Multicast is ideal for text communications, while anycasts and unicasts are used for general audiences or single point-to-point network communication.
Multicasting is a communication process that takes place in a network environment. In essence, a multicast is a message that originates from a single user and is received by multiple network endpoints. In a sense, a multicast is a bit like sending a single email to various email addresses. However, the key difference is that a multicast does not rely on any kind of email or software addressing and the transmission is limited to users connected to the single network.
There are many different applications that can employ the use of multicast. A common use of the technology is to quickly and easily deliver urgent announcements to key people within the organization. Unlike an e-mail transmission, multicast does not forward a message from a server, through a series of providers and networks, and finally ends up in a mailbox. The announcement is delivered in real time to the various termination points and will appear as a dialog on each receiver’s screen. In the event that a recipient is disconnected from the network, multicast protocols ensure that the announcement is displayed once the person has reconnected to the network.
While multicast is ideal for text communications, the process will also work for live video feeds and audio broadcasts. This means that people who for some reason are unable to join a live meeting, but can connect to the network, can still join via a virtual connection. However, that doesn’t mean that remote locations can interact with your home location. Since multicast is a broadcasting tool, another type of interactive communication, such as a conference call, can be used to allow remote parties to participate actively.
There are other types of broadcast applications as well. In addition to multicast, there are also anycasts and unicasts. These applications tend to be used for general audiences or for single point-to-point network communication. Multicast offers the ability to choose who on the network will receive the communication and delivers the message to all selected users simultaneously.
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