The IP address of a multicast group falls within the Class D IP address range.
Understanding Multicast Group IP Addresses
Unlike unicast addresses which identify a single host, a multicast IP address identifies a group of hosts that are interested in receiving a particular data stream. When data is sent to a multicast IP address, routers and switches forward copies of the data only to the members of that specific group.
According to the provided reference, multicast utilizes the Class D IP address range.
The Class D Range
The specific range designated for multicast IP addresses is:
- 224.0.0.0 to 239.255.255.255
This entire block of IP addresses is reserved for multicast traffic. Within this range, specific sub-ranges or individual addresses may be assigned for different purposes, such as network control protocols or well-known services.
Here's a breakdown of the range:
| Start Address | End Address | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 224.0.0.0 | 239.255.255.255 | Reserved for Multicast Group Use |
It's important to note that the source IP address of a multicast packet will always be a unicast IP address, representing the single host sending the data. The destination IP address will be the multicast address, representing the group of receivers.
Key Points about Multicast IPs
- They represent a group, not a single device.
- Devices join multicast groups to receive data sent to that group's IP address.
- The address is used as the destination IP in multicast packets.
- The source IP in a multicast packet is a standard unicast IP address.
Understanding the Class D range is fundamental to configuring and managing networks that utilize multicast for applications like video streaming, online gaming, and financial data distribution.
