What is IP Multicast?

IP Multicast is a network communication method for delivering data to a group of interested receivers simultaneously, using a single transmission from the source. Instead of sending individual packets to each recipient (unicast) or broadcasting to the entire network, multicast sends a single stream to a specific multicast group. Network devices like routers then replicate the stream only along the paths leading to members of that group. This significantly reduces network traffic and server load, making it ideal for applications like video streaming, online gaming, and distributing software updates to a select group of users.