What is a Multicast Router?
Often referred to as an mrouter, a multicast router that is configured to recognize signaling that is received in either multicast or unicast packets. Based on the type of packet identified, multicast routers then determine the routing or distribution of the data that is needed to forward the multicast or unicast packets to their intended destination. By employing a series of algorithms as part of the identification process, mrouters quickly initiate sending orders to the appropriate switches within the network and execute the delivery of the data packet. The multicast router works side by side with unicast routers as part of a larger network that is generally referred to as the Multicast Internet or Backbone. Along the structure of this Backbone, various multicast routers will reside along with the unicast routers. In order to achieve rapport with the unicast routers, the mrouters will make use of the ability to disguise the data packets so they appear to be configured into a unicast
