- TrIpLeZoNe -

Avalanche: File Swarming with Network Coding
Not so recently, I was invited to participate in the beta testing of Avalanche, which is supposed to be the next Peer-To-Peer distribution solution which Microsoft will use for distributing their downloads, MSDN subscription downloads, service packs (??), and various other evaluation and beta softwares. Here's a snippet of what it's about.

The code-named research project "Avalanche" studies how to enable a cost effective, internet scalable and very fast file distribution solution (e.g. for TV on-demand, patches, software distribution). Such an approach leverages desktop PCs to aid in the distribution process, relieving congested servers and network links from most of the traffic.

What I can tell you is, think BitTorrent. It's exactly the same, with an added improvement called Network Coding. The following is not suitable for pro-Microsoft people, please do not read on unless you're comfortable.

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Question: Why does Microsoft want to re-create something that is already in the market for SO long, and is SO widely used, and EVEN Blizzard is using it for their World Of Warcraft updates??! Why can't they contribute to the BitTorrent technology and incorporate Network Coding into BitTorrent application itself? What is Microsoft thinking?! They aren't even thinking of selling Avalanche, and they are going to use it internally only. And EVEN so if they ARE thinking of selling it, what fight does it have with BitTorrent?!

Recently Microsoft has been making some very weird moves indeed, and I'm not very agreeable with their decisions.

So Why?

Maybe beta testing it will give me the answer as to why Microsoft re-created BitTorrent.