The Key Component of IP Multicast
IP Multicast is an elegantly designed complex technology that depends on several components and protocols to function, to understand the working of IP Multicast knowledge of these components and protocols is very important will integrate the working of these components and protocols to understand the workings of IP Multicast.
Multicast Group
A multicast group is a dynamic set of devices which are interested in receiving the same data stream and each group is defined by a unique multicast IP address so the network Node interested in receiving data forwarded to that multicast IP address need to become member of that multicast group. devices join or leave Multicast Group dynamically.
Source
Source is the device that originate the data packets which is sent to Multicast Group , any device that has the capacity of generating multicast traffic can be a source. there can be more then one source which are sending data to a multicast group and this is useful in case where multiple source need data to be distributed among same set of recipients.
Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP)
Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) is used to manage host group membership in IPv4 networks allow the host to report their multicast group memberships to required routers.
Multicast Listener Discovery (MLD) is same as Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) just it is used for IPv6 networks and manage membership for IPv6 host.
Multicast Router
Multicast Router is a networking device responsible for managing and directing multicast traffic efficiently from the source to destination , they use Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) to locate receiver of the active group , Multicast Router also are responsible for building and maintaining distribution trees and mapping the source to the respected receivers on the network.
Receiver
Receiver is an end point device that has joined the multicast group and has subscribed to receive the data packets, to join the multicast group receiver need to configure itself mainly using using Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) so it only receives data packets which are send to multicast group in which it belongs to.
What is an IP Multicast?
In this constantly evolving field of digital communication and networking the ability to distribute data efficiently and effectively is a boon because of the growing needs of an interconnected world data is on demand. IP multicast is the boon holder it is a communication pattern that is a powerful solution to the challenge of delivering data to multiple recipients at a time.