Broadcasting (networks)

Broadcasting in a computer network refers to transmiting a packet

Related Topics:
Computer network - Packet

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that will be received (conceptionally) by every device on the network.

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In practice, the scope of the broadcast is limited to a broadcast domain.

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Contrast unicasting and multicasting.

Related Topics:
Unicast - Multicasting

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Not all computer networks support broadcasting; for example,

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neither X.25 nor frame relay supply a broadcast

Related Topics:
X.25 - Frame relay

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capability, nor is there any form of Internet-wide broadcast.

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Broadcasting is largely confined to

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local area network (LAN) technologies,

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most notably Ethernet and Token Ring,

Related Topics:
Ethernet - Token Ring

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where the performance impact of broadcasting

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is not as large as it would be in a wide area network.

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Both Ethernet and IPv4 use an all-ones broadcast address

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to indicate a broadcast packet. Token Ring uses a special

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value in the IEEE 802.2 control field.

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Due to its "shotgun" approach to data distribution,

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broadcasting is being increasingly supplanted by multicasting.

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For example, IPv6 supports neither directed broadcasts

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nor local broadcasts.

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