What is Multicast? How to Stream & View Multicast Video over LAN (Local Area Network) using VLC Media Software?

In this tutorial I’m going to show you Fundamentals, Applications, Addressing, Mechanism of IPv4 Multicast, How to Multicast Video over Local Area Network & view streaming video using VLC(Video LAN) Media Software.

• Single Host sends Packet to Group of Host it is called Multicast.
• In order to accept multicast a host must join the Multicast group.
• Multicast is used for Audio/Video Streaming.

In IPv4 addressing scheme Class D address space is used for Multicast which range from 224.0.0.0 – 239.255.255.255 respectively.

Within Class D several range of address is reserved for specific purpose as mentioned below

• Range 1 – 224.0.0.0 – 224.0.0.255 : is reserved for routing & other network protocol i.e., RIP, IGRP, EIGRP, MDNS, LLMNR etc.
• Range 2 – 224.0.1.0 – 238.255.255.255 : is used for publicly over the Internet.
• Range 3 – 239.0.0.0 – 239.255.255.255 : is reserved for private use & cannot be routed over Internet.

Multicast Source streams multicast packets to group of host over the network. The host willing to receive joins the Multicast group in order to get the Video or Audio stream.

There are two types of Multicast in Network i.e., Layer 2 & 3 Multicast as explained below

Switches, Bridges & HUB will forward multicast traffic over all the ports without any configuration means Layer 2 (L2) Multicast can be done without any efforts as shown in above image.

Router will not forward Multicast packets unless Multicast Routing Protocol is used i.e., PIM (Protocol Independent Multicast), Multicast OSPF & DVMRP (Distance Vector Multicast Routing Protocol). Layer 3 (L3) Multicast requires router to be configured to forward Multicast Packets as shown in above image.

Follow below steps to Multicast Video over LAN using VLC Media Software.

• Download VLC Media Software from it’s Official Website i.e., https://www.videolan.org . As shown in below image download & install the software. I’m having Windows operating system, so I’ll download the Windows version of it.

• Open VLC Media Software & Goto “Media” on Menu Bar, Select the “Stream” option. Click on “Add” option to select Video File that you want to stream over Network. After selecting Click on “Stream” Button as shown in below image.

• You will be prompted to verify Stream Source File Click “Next” Button.
• Here we will use UDP Multicast. Check “Display Locally” option & select the “UDP (legacy)” in the drop down menu. After that click on “Add” button you will be prompted to assign Multicast IP address to the stream. We will assign 239.1.1.1, port no 1234 & click “Next” Button as shown in below image.

• Select Video Profile “H.264 + MP3 (MP4)” & Click “Next” Button.
• Check “Stream all Elementary Stream” option & Click “Stream” button.

• Ensure System Firewall allow Multicast Traffic or VLC Traffic to forward on Both Multicast Source & Receiver.
• Verify the System Firewall rule to do so follow the steps shown below

1. Open Windows Firewall & Click on “Allow an App or feature through Windows Firewall” as shown in image below

2. Click on “Change Settings” & “Allow Another App”. Select the “VLC Media Player” as shown in below image.

3. After adding VLC Media Player check both the Private & Public checkboxes & press “OK” as shown in below image.

• Multicast Source streaming is working as shown in below image

• Open VLC Media player, Click on “Media” Menu bar & select “Open Network Stream”.
• Enter Multicast Address of source i.e., udp://@239.1.1.1:1234 as we are using UDP Multicast & click on “Play”.

Hence, The Receiver Stream is working as shown in below image.