DISTRIBUTED SYSTEM FOR COMMUNICATION NETWORKS IN MULTI-USER APPLICATIONS

摘要

The present invention is directed to overcoming bandwidth limitations of network backbones (10) to allow for true national participation in multi-user applications across a large-scale network (20). Three techniques are used to minimize the amount of backbone loading: (1) a fully distributed system architecture is described that retains nationals participation in each application environment by allocating resources among responsible servers (22) at remote locations; (2) Multiple zones of interest are defined within an application environment so that only relevant data applicable to each participant (1-100) within a given application environment is transmitted across the network backbone; and (3) seamless multi-server management is described that provides interaction across application environment regional boundaries without sacrificing continuity among participants or increasing the number of postcards transmitted. The present invention therefore provides a distributed system that offers multi-user applications nationwide interaction among participants within the present bandwidth limitations of existing network backbones.