Facilitating simultaneous download of a multicast file to a plurality of end user download devices

A method for facilitating multicasting of a file to a plurality of end users, comprising:

• multicasting control service information for reception by a plurality of end user download devices, wherein multicasting said control service information includes receiving said control service information initially transmitted from a centralized control apparatus, generating replicated versions of said control service information by a multicast-capable distribution network and forwarding said replicated versions of said control service information for reception by each one of the group of said end user download devices;
• configuring the multicast-capable distribution network to route said control service information by downstream apparatuses within the multi-cast capable network in response to receiving said control service information;
• receiving a plurality of requests for reception of offered content designated in said control service information, wherein said requests are received from a group of said end user download devices, wherein said requests are received within a prescribed interval of time;
• and
• multicasting said offered content for reception by each one of said end user download devices in the group;
• wherein a multicast-capable distribution network facilitates multicasting of said control service information, facilitates receiving said requests for reception and facilitates multicasting said offered content.

A system for facilitating multicasting of a file to a plurality of end users, comprising:

• a multicast-capable distribution network;
• a centralized server coupled to the multicast-capable distribution network;
• a plurality of end use download devices coupled to the multicast-capable distribution network;
• and
• a data processor program;
• the data processor program being capable of enabling the multicast-capable distribution network to facilitate:
• multicasting control service information for reception by the plurality of end user download devices;
• receiving a plurality of requests for reception of offered content designated in said control service information, wherein said requests are received from a group of said end user download devices;
• and
• multicasting said offered content for reception by each one of said end user download devices in the group.

A data processor program product for facilitating multicasting of a file to a plurality of end users, comprising:

• a data processor program processable by a data processor of a multicast-capable distribution network;
• an apparatus from which the data processor program is accessible by the data processor;
• and
• the data processor program being capable of enabling the data processor to facilitate
• multicasting control service information for reception by a plurality of end user download devices;
• receiving a plurality of requests for reception of offered content designated in said control service information, wherein said requests are received from a group of said end user download devices;
• and
• multicasting said offered content for reception by each one of said end user download devices in the group.