One-to-many or many-to-many data transmission in a network is known as what?

One-to-many or many-to-many data transmission in a network is known as what?

• A. Multicast
• B. Multilayer Switch
• C. Metropolitan Area Network
• D. Mesh Physical Topology

Answer: (A)

Multicast is the mechanism for one-to-many or many-to-many delivery. In multicast, a single stream is sent to a multicast group, and only devices that join that group receive the data. The network replicates and forwards the stream as needed, but only toward those interested receivers, which makes it efficient for distributing the same content to many places. Receivers indicate they want the data by joining the multicast group, using protocols like IGMP in IPv4 or MLD in IPv6. This is different from broadcasting, which would reach every device in the network, and from unicast, which is a one-to-one delivery. Common uses include live video streams, online conferences, and IPTV. The other options point to hardware or network structures rather than the delivery method: a multilayer switch is a device that combines switching and routing capabilities; a metropolitan area network is a large-scale network span; a mesh physical topology describes how devices are interconnected.

Multicast is the mechanism for one-to-many or many-to-many delivery. In multicast, a single stream is sent to a multicast group, and only devices that join that group receive the data. The network replicates and forwards the stream as needed, but only toward those interested receivers, which makes it efficient for distributing the same content to many places.

Receivers indicate they want the data by joining the multicast group, using protocols like IGMP in IPv4 or MLD in IPv6. This is different from broadcasting, which would reach every device in the network, and from unicast, which is a one-to-one delivery. Common uses include live video streams, online conferences, and IPTV.

The other options point to hardware or network structures rather than the delivery method: a multilayer switch is a device that combines switching and routing capabilities; a metropolitan area network is a large-scale network span; a mesh physical topology describes how devices are interconnected.