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Skype crippled by Windows Update and the nature of peer-to-peer
Considering its many millions of users, there's a good chance most of you experienced Skype's two-day blackout at the tail-end of last week.
Skype's own Heartbeat blog explains the problem was linked to the latest Windows Update release, which prompted thousands of restarts and, consequently, a similarly huge number of simultaneous Skype Log-ins.
A self-heal feature of the Skype network failed to rectify the situation, and the internet phone service was left paralysed for approximately two days.
Unlike VoIP clinets, Skype's service is peer-to-peer, with the user directory distributed in much the same way as you might download one of the many legal movies using BitTorrent.
While this allows the Skype service to grow quickly without the need for massive investment in infrastructure, it also leaves it open to the kind of problems experienced last week.
Skype's blog posting continues: "We would like to point out that very few technologies or communications networks today are guaranteed to operate without interruptions".
While this is true, I can't remember the last time my BT line was inactive for more than a couple of hours.
That said, it's difficult to knock something that offers free calls and despite this rather unfortunate affair Skype's massive and loyal fan base is unlikely to be diminished as a result.
Posted by Will Stapley on August 20, 2007 | Permalink
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