The UTSA Network is Multicast Aware!

Multicasting is a term that means you can send a data packet to multiple sites at one time. Usually the way to move packets around in the internet is by using Unicast protocols. Unicast sends packets to one site at a time.

Multicasting can be viewed much like TV broadcasting. The site will Multicast much like a TV broadcast to your own home TV. The signal starts from on site but can reach everyone who wants to change the channel and listen.

On a multicast network you send a packet of information from one computer for distribution to many other computers instead of sending individual packets to every one. Because multiple machines can receive the same packets bandwidth is saved. When you multicast you also do not need to know everyone’s address to have it sent to them, instead you are simply broadcasting it for anyone who cares to listen.