network meltdown n.
A state of complete network overload; the network equivalent
of thrashing. This may be induced by
a Chernobyl packet. See
also broadcast storm,
kamikaze packet.
Network meltdown is often a result of network designs that are
optimized for a steady state of moderate load and don't cope well
with the very jagged, bursty usage patterns of the real world.
One amusing instance of this is triggered by the popular and very
bloody shoot-'em-up game _Doom_ on the PC. When used in
multiplayer mode over a network, the game uses broadcast packets
to inform other machines when bullets are fired. This causes
problems with weapons like the chain gun which fire rapidly -- it
can blast the network into a meltdown state just as easily as it
shreds opposing monsters.