H3C Technologies H3C S7500E Series Switches - Manual (Page 18)

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Multicast Overview
z This manual chiefly focuses on the IP multicast technology and device operations. Unless
otherwise stated, the term “multicast” in this document refers to IP multicast.
z EA cards (such as LSQ1GP12EA and LSQ1TGX1EA) do not support IPv6 features
Introduction to Multicast
As a technique coexisting with unicast and broadcast, the multicast technique effectively addresses
the issue of point-to-multipoint data transmission. By allowing high-efficiency point-to-multipoint
data transmission over a network, multicast greatly saves network bandwidth and reduces network
load.
With the multicast technology, a network operator can easily provide new value-added services,
such as live Webcasting, Web TV, distance learning, telemedicine, Web radio, real-time
videoconferencing, and other bandwidth- and time-critical information services.
Comparison of Information Transmission Techniques
Unicast
In unicast, the information source (Source in the figure) needs to send a separate copy of
information to each host (Receiver in the figure) that wants the information, as shown in Figure 1-1 .