Multicast Streaming

Traditionally, the Internet is used to reliably transmit data from one computer to another. Examples include a web server sending a webpage and its associated files to your computer or your computer sending an email message to a friend or coworker's computer. In order for multiple recipients to get a copy, the sender must repeatedly transmit the same data. This is a "unicast" mode of transmission.

With "multicast" transmission, a server is able to simultaneously transmit to multiple recipients on-request. This allows the sender to provide high-quality transmissions efficiently, even if there is a very large number of recipients.

Though most Internet Service Providers are not currently able to pass multicast traffic to their broadband customers, Sonic.net is a proud exception. All Sonic.net DSL subscribers can take full advantage of this emerging technology.

Please note that many SOHO routers will not allow multicast traffic by default. Newer Linksys routers can be configured to allow multicast traffic in the Security Settings.