Advantages And Applications Of Multicast - H3C S7500E Series Operation Manual

Operation Manual – Multicast
H3C S7500E Series Ethernet Switches
For a better understanding of the multicast concept, you can assimilate multicast
transmission to the transmission of TV programs, as shown in
Table 1-1 An analogy between TV transmission and multicast transmission
Step
1
2
3
4
Note:
A multicast source does not necessarily belong to a multicast group. Namely, a
multicast source is not necessarily a multicast data receiver.
A multicast source can send data to multiple multicast groups at the same time, and
multiple multicast sources can send data to the same multicast group at the same
time.

1.1.3 Advantages and Applications of Multicast

I. Advantages of multicast
Advantages of the multicast technique include:
Enhanced efficiency: reduces the CPU load of information source servers and
network devices.
Optimal performance: reduces redundant traffic.
Distributive application: Enables point-to-multiple-point applications at the price of
the minimum network resources.
II. Applications of multicast
Applications of the multicast technique include:
Multimedia and streaming applications, such as Web TV, Web radio, and real-time
video/audio conferencing.
Communication for training and cooperative operations, such as distance learning
and telemedicine.
Data warehouse and financial applications (stock quotes).
TV transmission
A TV station transmits a TV
program through a channel.
A user tunes the TV set to the
channel.
The user starts to watch the TV
program transmitted by the TV
station via the channel.
The user turns off the TV set or
tunes to another channel.
Multicast transmission
A multicast source sends multicast
data to a multicast group.
A receiver joins the multicast group.
The receiver starts to receive the
multicast data that the source sends
to the multicast group.
The receiver leaves the multicast
group or joins another group.
1-5
Chapter 1 Multicast Overview
Table 1-1.