What does Multicast allow in a network?

Multicast is a communication method that enables the transmission of data to a specific group of devices on a network simultaneously. This capability is particularly advantageous in scenarios where the same data needs to be delivered to multiple endpoints, such as streaming video or online gaming, without overwhelming the network bandwidth. Rather than sending individual streams to each device or broadcasting the message to all devices (which may include those that do not need the information), multicast efficiently targets only the relevant devices.

In multicast, an address that corresponds to a group of subscribers is used, allowing the sender to send a single message that is then replicated only to those devices that have expressed interest in receiving that specific stream of information. This ensures both efficiency and reduced network congestion, making it an optimal choice for applications requiring group communication.