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Managing DHCP Multicast Scopes

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Applies To: Windows Server 2008

Multicast scopes are supported through the use of Multicast Address Dynamic Client Allocation Protocol (MADCAP), a protocol for performing multicast address allocation. The MADCAP protocol describes how multicast address allocation or MADCAP servers can dynamically provide IP addresses to other computers (MADCAP clients) on your network.

Typically, a MADCAP client might also be a multicast server (MCS) used to support IP multicasting. An MCS manages the shared or group use of the allocated multicast IP address and streams data traffic to members that share the use of the specified group address.

After an MCS is configured and allocated a group IP address to use, any multicast clients that have registered their membership with the MCS can receive streams sent to this address. By registering with the MCS, clients can participate efficiently in the stream process, such as for real-time video or audio network transmissions. The MCS also manages the multicast group list, updating its membership and status so that multicast traffic is received by all current members.