A state of complete network overload; the network equivalent of
thrashing. This may be induced by a
Chernobyl packet. See also
broadcast storm, kamikaze packet.
Network meltdown is often a result of network designs that are
optimized for a steady state of moderate load and don't cope well with the
very jagged, bursty usage patterns of the real world. One amusing instance
of this is triggered by the popular and very bloody shoot-'em-up game
Doom on the PC. When used in multiplayer
mode over a network, the game uses broadcast packets to inform other
machines when bullets are fired. This causes problems with weapons like
the chain gun which fire rapidly — it can blast the network into a
meltdown state just as easily as it shreds opposing monsters.
