Though some readers may feel that this book starts out too basic--with yet another exploration of network topologies and the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model--others will appreciate starting out on familiar ground. In any case, the authors quickly move into interesting material on Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) networks and their particular suitability to IP multicasting. Once they've outlined suitable underpinnings, Goncalves and Niles proceed to pick apart Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) from the perspectives of both hosts and routers--routing algorithms receive particular attention. The authors cover both IGMPv1 and IGMPv2.
Before detailing the relative merits of products you can use to implement IP multicasting, this book explores the characteristics and uses of various higher-lever protocols. You'll find coverage of Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP), Resource Reservation Protocol (RSVP), Reliable Adaptive Multicasting Protocol (RAMP), and others. The authors show how the MBONE works too. A fine glossary and a key to acronyms wrap up IP Multicasting. --David Wall