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Multicast FAQ
Q: What is multicast?
A: Multicast is an IP technology that allows for streams of data to be sent efficiently from
one to many destinations. Instead of setting up separate unicast sessions for each
destination, multicast will replicate packets at router hops where the path to different
multicast group members diverges. This allows a source to send a single copy of a stream
of data, while reaching any number of possible receivers.
In order to support SSM (Source Specific Multicast), a computer needs to support IGMP
version 3. Not as many operating systems support this yet. You can find patches for
FreeBSD and Linux to compile in your kernel, and Windows XP also has IGMPv3
support.
Numerous applications were developed in conjunction with the MBONE (an educational
multicast backbone research project). The most widely used of these is SDR (session
directory), which is a program that lists many of the multicast sessions occurring on the
MBONE. A host of helper applications are available for SDR, such as VIC (video), VAT
and RAT (audio), WB (white board), and more. These applications are available for
UNIX and Microsoft Windows platforms. Several other applications have been built as
clones of these programs for other operating systems.
You can find many MBONE applications for numerous platforms at the following site:
http://www.merit.edu/~mbone/index/titles.html
DSL and cable modems could be capable of handling multicast (cable modems should
follow the DOCSIS 1.0 or 1.1 standards), depending on your ISPs network design.
Contact your provider for details.
To see if you are already capable of receiving multicast streams, you can use the
Multicast Technologies multicast tester. Please make sure to read the instructions
carefully.
RPs communicate with each other and RPs in other networks through MSDP (Multicast
Source Discovery Protocol). Routing is provided with either static routes, or MBGP
(Multicast extensions for Border Gateway Protocol).
ip multicast-routing
ip pim rp-address 144.232.187.198
ip pim accept-rp 144.232.187.198
!
int Ethernet0
ip pim sparse-mode
!
int Serial0
ip pim sparse-mode
Repeat for all interfaces through which multicast traffic should flow.
option. Minimum requirements are the ability to support PIM-SM and IGMP.
Performance will be improved if your router supports PIM-SM version 2.
Q: What is IGMP?
A: The Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) is a protocol that controls group
membership individual hosts. This protocol only operates in a LAN setting, but is
required if you wish to be able to join a multicast group on a host. IGMP is defined in
RFC 2236.
The 233.0.0.0/8 block has been set aside for multicast use for anyone with their own
autonomous system number (ASN). The ASN can be written as a 16-bit binary number
(left-padded with zeroes), and then inserted into the middle two octets of this address
block. For example, Sprint has ASN 1239. Written as a 16-bit binary number, this value
is 00000100 11010111. By inserting this value into the middle two octets of the
233.0.0.0/8 block, Sprint can then use 233.4.215.0/24 for multicast sessions. Anyone with
their own ASN can use this method to create a /24 block for multicast use. You can find a
JavaScript calculator that will figure out a block for you at
http://www.sprint.net/multicast/addresses.html.
The 239.0.0.0/8 block is administratively scoped for internal use only. You can use this
block within your own network similar to the way that the 10.0.0.0/8, 172.16.0.0/12, and
192.168.0.0/16 blocks are used.
If you decide that you require static multicast addresses and do not have your own ASN,
you can request them from IANA at this site: http://www.iana.net/cgi-bin/multicast.pl. In
rare occassions where a customer is unable to obtain addresses from IANA, your ISP
may be able to provide a limited number of addresses for use.
Q: I have multicast enabled. How can I make sure that everything is working correctly?
A: There are a number of tests you can perform to make sure that multicast is working.
First, you should verify that the router is set up correctly. On a Cisco router, you should
be able to perform the command: mtrace rp.sprintlink.net and see a result similar to the
following:
sl-gw10-dc#mtrace rp.sprintlink.net
mtrace rp.sprintlink.net
Translating "rp.sprintlink.net"...domain server (204.117.214.10) [OK]
The key here is to see the mtrace terminate to rp.sprintlink.net. Because we have multiple
RPs in the network, you may see the trace take a different route than the one shown here.
You can also pull up a web browser, and use that to verify that multicast is working. A
multicast tester is available that uses an applet to test your connectivity. Please use the
contact information available on that page to report any issues.)
Users who have Microsoft Windows Media Player can attempt to join one of two
multicast streams.
• Video - 363 kbps - suitable for cable modem, DSL, and T1 or greater
• Audio - 22 kbps - suitable for modem users
Alternatively, multicast streams are also available for users of Real Network's RealOne
player, or a MP3 player capable of receiving RTP-encapsulated data, such as Zinf.
These streams are only available via multicast. If you can view or hear the stream you've
selected, then multicast is working.
Additional Information
Edwards, Brian M. et al. Interdomain Multicast Routing: Practical Juniper Networks and
Cisco Systems Solutions Addison-Wesley, Inc. 2002. ISBN: 0201746123
Parkhurst, William R. Cisco Multicast Routing and Switching. McGraw Hill Text. 1999.
ISBN: 0071346473
Williamson, Beau. Developing IP Multicast Networks. Cisco Press. 2000. ISBN:
1578700779
Maufer, Thomas A. Deploying IP Multicast in the Enterprise. Prentice Hill PTR. 1998.
ISBN: 0138976872
The following RFC's and drafts contain useful information about multicast:
• ftp://ftpeng.cisco.com/ipmulticast.html