I have a small dedicated wifi network setup specifically to carry a multicast multimedia package.. no other use (no web or other data on this network, due to the arrangement)..
The issue I've found is that clients are not receiving a true multicast transmission – they're actually receiving unicast from the AP.
Some APs have options to "convert Multicast to Unicast", as supposedly it raises the QoS of the packet to a faster delivery.when I turn this off, the packet delay is FAR higher for any device/all devices…
However, as I need to deliver the multicast to more clients (dozens), i need it to truly multicast (ie., 1 RF transmission transmitting the entire packet to dozens of clients).
My clients are listening for the multicast port, but i need the AP to actually multicast/broadcast the packet..
How can this be accomplished?
I've looked at various 'open source' options (OpenWRT etc), but am unsure how to actually configure APs to accomplish this.
Best Answer
Unfortunately, you really aren't going to get what you want with today's Wi-Fi implementations. Multicast over Wi-Fi performance is pretty abysmal, today, but there are things in the future which hope to change this situation. Multicast over Wi-Fi will use the lowest available speed for multicast. The original way to overcome this is to convert multicast to unicast at the WAP.
A Scheme Improving Performance of IEEE 802.11 Multicast Protocol:
There is now the 802.11aa standard, but it will take some time before both WAPs and hosts are compliant with the standard.
A First Implementation and Evaluation of the IEEE 802.11aa Group Addressed Transmission Service: