Packet sending modes

IPC uses one of the following modes to send packets for upper layer application modules:

• Unicast—One node sends packets to another node.

• Multicast—One node sends packets to multiple nodes. This mode includes broadcast, a special multicast. To use multicast mode, an application module must create a multicast group that includes a set of nodes. Multicasts destined for this group are sent to all the nodes in the group. An application module can create multiple multicast groups. Creation and deletion of a multicast group or group member depend on the application module.

• Mixcast—Supports both unicast and multicast.

IPC assigns one queue for each mode. An upper layer application module automatically selects one mode as needed.