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broadcast - technical definition

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A transmission mode in which a station sends a message to all stations on a network.A bridge or switch, for example, might broadcast a ping to all stations in order to update its routing tables. An authorized user of a voice mail system might broadcast a message to all stations to advise users of scheduled downtime for system maintenance. See also anycast, unicast and multicast.

See broadcast in Webster''s New World Hacker Dictionary

The simultaneous sending of a message to all connected machines on a local area network (LAN).

See Also: Ethernet; IP Address; Local Area Network (LAN).

Symantec Security Response. Glossary. [Online, July 15, 2004.] Symantec Security Response Website. http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/refa.html.

See broadcast in Computer

(1) To transmit to every receiving station within a geographic area. Non-cable TV, FM and AM radio are examples of broadcast networks. Contrast with narrowcast.

(2) To transmit to every node on the network or subnetwork. Broadcasts are common to announce that network resources have been turned on and are available, to advertise services and to make requests for address resolution. See multicast, broadcast traffic, address resolution, ARP, SLP and broadcast domain.