Multicast enables a single data stream to be replicated in the network and delivered to multiple recipients. The technology is finding its way to every home as an efficient method for video distribution used, for instance, by Triple Play and Video on Demand providers.
Financial institutes are also using multicast technologies to facilitate trading rooms and analysts’ data exchange. Multi-player gaming and even complex military simulations are all further examples of applications of multicast technologies.
The technology offers obvious benefits but introduces challenges that are unique to this environment and are not experienced in the unicast domain.
Network design, protocol implementation, performance and interoperability are entirely specific to the multicast domain and must be tested with a specific set of methodologies.