What best describes multicast transmission?

Multicast transmission is defined as a one-to-many communication method where a single source sends data to multiple recipients simultaneously. This is particularly efficient for data distribution since it allows the source to send only one copy of the data stream across the network rather than creating individual streams for each recipient. In the context of local area networks (LAN), multicast traffic is typically confined to the LAN where it originates. Unlike broadcast transmission, which sends data to all devices on the network, multicast allows for selective data delivery, making it ideal for applications like streaming audio, video, and digital communication where specific groups need to receive the same data.

This characteristic of multicast makes it well-suited for scenarios where a single source needs to communicate with multiple destinations without overwhelming the network with excessive copies of the same data, hence conserving bandwidth and optimizing resource use.