README

#
#   "Flamethrower"
#
#   Copyright (C) 2003 Brian Elliott Finley <finley@mcs.anl.gov>
#
#   $Id: README 60 2006-04-18 23:07:43Z dannf $
#

What it is:

    Flamethrower is intended to be an easy to use multicast file distribution
    system.  It was created to add multicast install capabilities to 
    SystemImager, but was designed to be fully functional as a stand-alone
    package.
    

Notable characteristics:

    1)  Works with entire directory hierarchies of files, not just single files.
    2)  Uses a server configuration file that takes module entries that are 
        similar to those used by rsyncd.conf.

    3)  Flamethrower is an on-demand system.  The multicast of a module is
        initiated when a client connects, but waits MIN_WAIT (conf file) for 
        other clients to connect.  If other clients try to connect after a 
        cast has been initiated, they simply wait until that cast has finished,
        and catch the next one when it begins.

    4)  The udpcast package is used as the multicast transport, and offers a
        gob and a half of tuning parameters.


Using Flamethrower:

    See the HOWTO.