network meltdown

n. A state of complete network overload; the network equivalent of thrash
ing. 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.

