Broadcast vs. Multicast — What's the Difference?

Transmitting data to all devices within a network.

Transmitting data to a specific group of devices in a network.

A method where all network nodes receive the same data.

Efficiently targets only devices that have joined a multicast group.

Used for communication that doesn't target specific devices.

Requires devices to express interest by joining a group.

Simple to implement without managing device groups.

More complex setup involving group management.

To communicate or transmit (a signal, a message, or content, such as audio or video programming) to numerous recipients simultaneously over a communication network

Reduces unnecessary network traffic and optimizes bandwidth.

To make known over a wide area

In computer networking, multicast is group communication where data transmission is addressed to a group of destination computers simultaneously. Multicast can be one-to-many or many-to-many distribution.

To sow (seed) over a wide area, especially by hand.

Having multiple targets, such that a call to the delegate triggers a call to each target.

To communicate or transmit a signal, a message, or content, such as audio or video programming, to numerous recipients simultaneously over a communication network.

The simultaneous transmission of data to several destinations on a network.

The act or process of broadcasting a signal, a message, or content, such as audio or video programming.

A signal, message, or audio or video program that is broadcast over a communication network

The act of scattering seed.

Communicated or transmitted by means of broadcasting, as over a communications network

Of or relating to the broadcasting of audio or video content over communication networks, as in television or radio.

Widely known.

Scattered over a wide area.

In a scattered manner.

Cast or scattered widely in all directions; cast abroad.

Communicated, signalled, or transmitted through radio waves or electronic means.

Relating to transmissions of messages or signals through radio waves or electronic means.

Widely in all directions; abroad.

By having its seeds sown over a wide area.

A transmission of a radio or television programme intended to be received by anyone with a receiver.

A programme (bulletin, documentary, show, etc.) so transmitted.

The act of scattering seed; a crop grown from such seed.

(transitive) To transmit a message or signal through radio waves or electronic means.

(transitive) To transmit a message over a wide area; specifically, to send an email in a single transmission to a (typically large) number of people.

(intransitive) To appear as a performer, presenter, or speaker in a broadcast programme.

To sow seeds over a wide area.

A casting or throwing seed in all directions, as from the hand in sowing.

An act of broadcasting; specifically, a program in which sounds or images are transmitted in all directions from a radio or television station; - usually referring to a scheduled program on a commercial or public service radio or television station, using the normal radio frequencies for those media, in contrast to a radiotelephone conversation, which may also be transmitted in all directions, but is intended for receipt by a base station in the telephone network.

Cast or dispersed in all directions, as seed from the hand in sowing; widely diffused.

Scattering in all directions (as a method of sowing); - opposed to planting in hills, or rows.

So as to scatter or be scattered in all directions; so as to spread widely, as seed from the hand in sowing, or news from the press.

To cast or disperse in all directions, as seed from the hand in sowing; to diffuse widely.

To transmit (sounds, images, or other signals) in all directions from a radio or television station.

To disseminate (information, a speech, an advertisement, etc.) from a radio or television station.

To spread (information, news, gossip) widely by any means.

Message that is transmitted by radio or television

A radio or television show;

Broadcast over the airwaves, as in radio or television;

Sow over a wide area, especially by hand;

Cause to become widely known;

Inefficient for large networks due to data congestion.

Broadcast is used for service announcements, ARP requests, and general network messages.

Multicast sends data only to specific devices that have joined a multicast group.

Yes, broadcast is simpler to implement as it doesn't require managing group memberships.

Broadcast sends data packets to all devices within a network segment.

Multicast is used for streaming media, online gaming, and video conferencing.

Multicast is more efficient as it reduces unnecessary network traffic.

Yes, broadcast can consume more bandwidth since it sends data to all devices.

Devices must join a specific multicast group to receive the data.

The main downside is potential network congestion due to all devices processing the broadcast.

A common example is a live video stream being multicast to all viewers who have subscribed.

Yes, multicast can help optimize bandwidth and performance in large networks.

A common example is a DHCP server broadcasting its availability to all network devices.

The benefits include optimized bandwidth usage and targeted data distribution.

Yes, networks can use both broadcast and multicast depending on the application needs.

Not all networks support multicast; it requires specific configuration and support from network devices.