multicast backbone


multicast backbone

(MBONE) A virtual network on top of the Internet whichsupports routing of IP multicast packets, intended formultimedia transmission. MBONE gives public access desktop video communications. The quality is poor with only 3-5frames per second instead of the 30 frames per second ofcommercial television. Its advantage is that it avoids alltelecommunications costs normally associated withteleconferencing. An interesting innovation is the use ofMBONE for audio communications and an electronic "whiteboard"where the computer screen becomes a shared workspace where twophysically remote parties can draw on and edit shareddocuments in real-time.