Versions:
filecast is a cross-platform command-line tool published by gistrec for distributing a single file to every machine on the same local area network at once. The software falls into the network file transfer and distribution utilities category. Instead of sending a file to each host individually, filecast transmits the data over UDP broadcast or IP multicast, so one sender can reach any number of receivers in the time it would take to complete a single transfer. This makes it useful for use cases such as deploying files to many workstations simultaneously, distributing media or data to classroom or lab machines, sharing content across ad hoc local networks, or pushing the same payload to multiple servers without running a dedicated distribution service. The tool requires no server, relay, or internet connection, operating entirely over the local network, which suits isolated or offline environments. Because UDP does not guarantee delivery, filecast implements automatic retransmission of dropped packets to keep transfers reliable. It verifies each file end-to-end using SHA-256 checksums, ensuring that every receiver ends up with an exact copy of the original. It also supports resuming interrupted receives, so a receiver that loses part of a transfer does not need to start over from the beginning. The current version of filecast is 1.1.0, and the catalog lists three published versions in total, indicating that earlier releases remain part of its distribution history. As a command-line application, it integrates naturally into scripts, automation workflows, and system administration tasks where repeated bulk file distribution is needed. By combining one-to-many delivery, integrity verification, retransmission, and resumability in a single cross-platform utility, filecast addresses the common problem of efficiently sending identical files across an entire LAN with minimal configuration and no external dependencies.
Tags: