Peer to Peer ...   ... on a Lan

Again, unicasting (TCP or UDP) is possible but not at all adapted (not scalable).

Broadcast

• Each packet is received (and read) by all players (and computers) on the LAN : busy LAN and busy computer !

• Floods the network with packets.

• All packets must be brought up through the kernel of the operating systems of all players on the net.

  • Even if the packet is not for that machine!

  • Thereby wasting CPU time.

NB. in WarCraft, we need a server even on a LAN because of Licensing issue (the CD is the key !)

eScience