Multicast: In multicast communication, data is sent from one source to multiple specific receivers, often to a defined group within a network. This is efficient in scenarios like live streaming, where the data is …

This lesson explains the basics of multicast, the differences between unicast and broadcast traffic, and what PIM/IGMP are.

Feb 10, 2026 · Through IGMP, multicast traffic flow will be controlled in a multicast network using hosts and routers; this ensures that routers will send data only to participating devices in a multicast group.

A new method was required to securely transmit multicast, and this was referred to as Secure Multicast or Multicast Security. The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) created a new Internet Protocol …

Jun 13, 2026 · Receivers join a multicast group, and the network identifies the members of that group. The data is replicated only when necessary and delivered to the targeted receivers.

Oct 24, 2024 · Multicast networking, often referred to simply as “multicast,” is a network traffic distribution mode that enables one-to-many and many-to-many communication from data sources to …

Apr 1, 2025 · While in case of a Host running unicast, it will send multiple packets to communicate information with multiple sources, a multicast-capable source will just send one packet stream to …

Sending traffic from one (or multiple) sources to a group of receivers is called multicast. These lessons explain the different protocols we require to make multicast work on our routers and switches.

IP Multicast Select from the following IP Multicast categories for more in-depth information. Technology-specific resources available from these pages can assist you with network design, configuration, …