Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for downloading large items packages the item as a plurality of packets and numbers each packet with an index stored in a header. For each user to whom an item is to be downloaded, a list of packets to be sent to the user is maintained. A send process loops through each user. In any given loop, one or more packets from the list is sent to the user. These packets are then marked as having been sent on that user's list. Only one download buffer for storing the download packets and only one network communications buffer for use by a network and a connectionless transport service is required to send the packets to a plurality of users on demand. Each user indicates which packets it did not receive and those packets are added back to that user's list for sending.

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First Claim