Simple Multicast Testing Tool for Windows

After multicast has been configured on the network, one of the biggest challenges tends to involve actually testing multicast functionality in between two Windows machines (physical or VMs) connected via the network.

In the past, I’ve just used iPerf and/or multicast video streaming via VLC, which are still valid and great testing options, but, sometimes when using these tools, I’m often second guessing my self as to whether or not I am even using the tool correctly and legitimately generating the multicast stream that I intend to generate. Part of the problem is that iPerf can be complicated to use, and VLC multicast streaming can be buggy.

I would still continue to use the iPerf/jPerf and VLC multicast video streaming method, which can be a good way to test throughput, however, I’ve now come across new VERY SIMPLE tool to validate basic multicast connectivity, the Singlewire Mutlicast Testing Tool (free).

It’s SO easy, it’s ridiculous. You run the tool’s executable (exe) file on two or more different machines. Choose option 1, “Multicast Server”, on the host that’s acting as the “server” and choose option 2 “Multicast Client”, on one or more hosts that are acting as the multicast client – that’s it!

On the server, you’ll see the following output (option 1):

On the clients, you’ll see the following output, when the mutlicast stream is actually being received on the client (option 2):

By default, the tool uses multicast stream IP address 239.0.1.2 with port 20480. This however can be customized, simply by typing “custom” (instead of choosing any of the given options).  Be sure to choose the exact same custom options in both the server and clients. Rest of the process is the same.