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`ABSTRACT
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`A methodfor deploying interactive applications over a network containing
`host computers and group messagingserversis disclosed. The method
`operates in a conventional unicast network architecture comprised of
`conventional network links and unicast gateways and routers. The hosts send
`messages containing destination group addressesby unicast to the group
`messaging servers. Thegroup addresses select message groups maintained by
`the group messaging servers. For each message group, the group messaging
`servers also maintainalist of all of the hosts that are membersofthe particular
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`group. In its most simple implementation, the method consists of the group
`server receiving a message from a host containing a destination group address.
`Using the group address, the group messaging server then selects a message
`group whichlists all of the host membersof the group which are the targets of
`messages to the group. The group messaging server then forwards the
`message to each ofthe target hosts. In an interactive application, many
`messages will be arriving at the group server close to one anotherin time.
`Rather than simply forward each messagetoits targeted hosts, the group
`messaging server aggregates the contents of each of messages received during
`a specified time period and then sends an aggregated message to the targeted
`hosts. Thetime period can be defined in a number ofways. This method
`reduces the message traffic betweenhostsin a networked interactive
`application and contributes to reducing the fatency in the communications
`between the hosts.
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