IP Multicast Technology
IP Multicast allows information to be delivered to a group of destinations simultaneously, passing through each network link only once and creating copies only when the paths to the destinations split. This conserves bandwidth in comparison to unicast, in which each data packet is sent to each destination and total bandwidth is directly related to the number of destinations. As an example, students in a dorm watching a multicast lecture would cause a single stream of data from the source to the switch in the dorm where their individual wall jacks connect. A unicast of the same lecture would cause as many data streams as computers receiving the unicast.
Multicast on campus
Multicast is enabled broadly on the campus network, where technically possible. It is not available over the wireless network, VPN, or off campus. This information pertains to multicast only on the campus network and cannot speak to multicast on the Medical Center’s network or in Medical Center buildings. Multicast is not currently available in the following campus buildings:
- Center for Research in Security Prices
- Center for Population Economics
- Grounds Garage
- Real Estate Operations
- 5100 S. Dorchester
- 5316 S. Dorchester
- Cancer and Leukemia Group B
- OB/GYN Downtown
- Max Mason (1215 E. Hyde Park)
- UC Press Warehouse Press-Langley
Last updated: 10/28/09