Use the Multicast tab of the Configuration Manager 2007 Distribution Point Properties dialog box to specify the settings for a distribution point in the Configuration Manager site.

Note
The information in this topic applies only to Configuration Manager 2007 R2 and Configuration Manager 2007 R3.

The Multicast tab contains the following elements.

Enable as a multicast distribution point

Enables this site system as a multicast distribution point for operating system deployment. This option is available only on server site systems.
Specify the account to connect to the database

Specifies the Windows user account to be used when making Configuration Manager 2007 database connections for multicast configuration.
  • Use Multicast service point's computer account—Specifies that the multicast service point's computer account should be used for database connection account settings.

  • Use another account—Specifies that the Windows user account specified by using the Set button should be used for database connection account settings.

Multicast address

Specifies the IP address for communication between the multicast server site system and clients. The range of multicast IP addresses is between 239.0.0.0 - 239.255.255.255. The settings for multicast might require configuration of firewalls and routers to ensure that multicast traffic is not blocked.
  • Obtain IP address from DHCP—Specifies that the IP address for multicast communication should be obtained from a DHCP server.

  • Use IP address from the following range—Specifies that the IP addresses should be assigned from a specified range.

    • From—Specifies the first IP address to be used for the multicast IP address range.

    • To—Specifies the last IP address to be used for the multicast IP address range.

UDP Port Range

Specifies the user datagram protocol (UDP) port range that the multicast site server will use for communication with clients.
  • From—Specifies the first UDP port number to be used for multicast communication.

  • To—Specifies the last UDP port number to be used for multicast communication.

  • The UDP port number range is inclusive.

Note
The UDP ports specified in the UDP port range must be open on firewalls between the distribution point and clients attempting operating system deployment via multicast.
Enable scheduled multicast

Enables a multicast schedule and specifies the multicast schedule settings. If scheduled multicast is enabled, the multicast will begin when either the delay time from the first request is exceeded or the minimum number of session requests is received by the distribution point.
  • Session start delay—Specifies the maximum number of minutes that the multicast is delayed before starting.

  • Minimum session size—Specifies the minimum number of clients in a session required for a scheduled multicast session to begin.

A scheduled multicast requires that clients wait until the Session start delay value or the Minimum number of clients value is reached to begin downloading the package. Distribution without waiting for a new multicast to form, known as auto cast, allows clients to begin downloading immediately. If a multicast is already in progress, the client joins the multicast and downloads the package and then downloads any missing portion of the package. Deploying operating system packages via auto cast might require more bandwidth, but it does not require that clients wait to begin the deployment.
Transfer Rate

Specifies the transfer rate of the network used for multicast. Each rate enables settings to optimize performance for the specified speed, such as the maximum transport window size, the transport cache size, and the block size. Select Custom if you want to customize the settings by editing the registry. Even if you want to change only one setting, you should create a custom profile by first copying the needed profile into the custom profile. Registry settings can be viewed at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SYSTEM \ CurrentControlSet \ Services \ WDSServer \ Providers \ Multicast \ Profiles. Do not modify the other profiles that are provided.
Maximum clients

Specifies the maximum number of clients a multicast-enabled distribution point can serve at one time in all multicast sessions. Clients requesting deployment in excess of the maximum will not receive multicast distribution from this server and will try other distribution points or protocols.
OK

Saves any changes and exits the dialog box.
Cancel

Exits the dialog box without saving any changes.
Apply

Saves any changes and remains in the dialog box.
Help

Opens the help topic for this tab of the dialog box.

See Also