In networking, what does "broadcast" mean?

In networking, the term "broadcast" refers specifically to the practice of sending data to multiple users simultaneously. This is a fundamental aspect of network communication where a single data packet is transmitted across a network, making it available to all devices connected to that network segment. When a broadcast occurs, all devices on that network can receive and process the message, which is particularly useful in scenarios where information needs to be disseminated quickly to multiple users without having to send separate messages to each one individually.

Broadcast communication is commonly used in various networking protocols, such as those found in local area networks (LANs). It allows for efficient communication methods, such as announcing new devices on the network or sharing updates to all users at once.

The other options do not reflect the definition of broadcast as they describe different communication methods. Sending data to a single recipient pertains more to unicast communication, while sending data in one direction only relates to certain transmission types, and sending data sequentially involves ordered communication often associated with streaming data rather than simultaneous delivery.