Seen as the next great leap in Internet technology, multicast is a set of Internet protocols and related technologies that enable the distribution of data to multiple individual hosts--without causing network overload. Multicast is at the heart of many new networking applications being developed today, such as multimedia conferencing, software and critical data distribution through networks, and distance learning.

Geared for network managers, administrators, and developers, Multicast Networking and Applications provides a practical overview of multicast technology, its promises and pitfalls, and its implications for business. This book explores real-world applications that demonstrate key concepts and illustrate how multicast applications can be used to improve business processes and information distribution.

This book features a tutorial on multicast technologies that discusses:

• link layer versus network layer multicast
• multicast IP addressing, IGMP, and multicast routing protocols
• network infrastructures, including frame relay, virtual private networks, satellite networking, high-speed permanent links, switched links, and how each can support multicast
• replication, mirroring, and caching of Web sites today and how multicast technology can make improvements

In addition, this book explains "push," or Webcasting applications, and the newly proposed push standards. It offers an in-depth look at multimedia streaming applications--focusing on real-time protocols and format--and provides a fascinating look at reliable multicast applications and technology, the creation of multicast groups, and the critical topic of security.

Multicast Networking and Applications offers real-world case studies from companies that are now implementing and using multicast technology, including Microsoft, 3Com, Smith Barney, General Motors, and Toys "R" Us.

You will also find a revealing look at the future of multicast and the business trends that are driving the development of this powerful technology.

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