How are flows categorized in a Dante network?

In a Dante network, flows are categorized as both unicast and multicast. This categorization is essential for understanding how audio streams are managed and transmitted across the network.

Unicast flows refer to a direct communication channel between one sender and one receiver. This means that a specific audio stream is sent from one device to another, which is practical for point-to-point audio connections. For example, if a microphone is sending audio data to a specific mixer, that communication happens through a unicast flow.

On the other hand, multicast flows allow a single source to send data to multiple receivers simultaneously. This is particularly useful in scenarios where the same audio stream needs to be distributed to several destinations, such as sending the same audio feed to various speakers or mixing consoles. This method is efficient because it reduces the amount of network bandwidth needed compared to individual unicast streams for every receiver.

Dante supports both types of flows to provide flexibility and efficiency in audio networking. This dual capability allows users to optimize their use of network resources based on their specific needs, whether they require one-to-one connections (unicast) or one-to-many connections (multicast). Understanding this aspect of flow categorization is crucial for effectively designing and operating a Dante network.