In computer networks, sending a single frame from one sender to a specific group of destination stations is known as what type of communication?

Introduction / Context:
In data communication and computer networking, there are several ways to deliver frames or packets from a sender to receivers. A frame can be targeted to a single destination, to all nodes on a network or to a selected group. These different delivery styles are called unicast, broadcast and multicast. Understanding these terms is a key part of learning about network protocols and addressing.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question talks about sending a frame to a group of stations.
• A frame is a data link layer unit of data.
• Options include single casting, multicasting, broadcasting, unicasting and anycasting.
• We assume standard definitions from networking textbooks.

Concept / Approach:
Unicasting refers to transmission from one sender to exactly one receiver. Broadcasting refers to sending data from one node to all nodes in a network segment. Multicasting is between one sender and a selected group of receivers that have joined a particular group address. Anycasting is used in some network designs where data is sent to any one member of a group, usually the nearest. Since the question specifies a group of stations, not all stations and not a single station, multicasting is the matching term.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the sender and receiver pattern described. The question states a frame is sent to a group of stations. Step 2: Recall that unicast is one to one, broadcast is one to all and multicast is one to many but only to a specific group that has expressed interest. Step 3: Since a group of stations is mentioned rather than all stations, broadcasting is not the correct term. Step 4: Because more than one destination station is involved, unicasting and single casting do not apply. Step 5: Anycasting involves sending to one member of a group, typically the nearest, so it does not match the idea of delivering to all members of a group. Step 6: Multicasting precisely describes sending a frame from a single source to multiple selected receivers at the same time. Step 7: Therefore, the correct name for sending a frame to a group of stations is multicasting.

Verification / Alternative check:
Networking standards such as IP multicast and Ethernet multicast explicitly use the term multicast for group communication. Tutorials explain that multicast addresses identify groups of hosts that want to receive particular traffic, such as live video streams or online conferences. A single multicast frame is processed by all stations that have joined the group. This real world use confirms the mapping between the description in the question and the term multicasting.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Single casting is not a standard term and appears only as a distractor. Unicasting is communication between one sender and exactly one receiver, which is not what the question describes. Broadcasting sends frames to every station in the broadcast domain, not only to a selected group. Anycasting targets only one member of a group, often chosen based on routing metrics. These options do not match the phrase sending a frame to a group of stations.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse broadcasting and multicasting because both involve one sender and multiple receivers. To avoid this confusion, remember that broadcasting is an all stations message, while multicasting is a group message. Visualising multicast traffic going only to interested subscribers rather than to every device on the network helps solidify this distinction.

Final Answer:
Sending a frame to a group of stations is known as multicasting.