For Immediate Release
December 19, 1997
NTT Develops RealPush Network
-For Real-Time Information Distribution to Mass Users-Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) announced on December 15 that it has developed the RealPush Network, a push system that simultaneously distributes Web documents, banner advertisements and ticker information over the Internet to mass users.
Conventional push information distribution systems are really "pull" systems, because they require clients to access a server to obtain information. Moreover, these systems place a heavy load on servers and networks alike, and information transmissions can take a long time.
NTT's RealPush Network utilizes Reliable Multicast Transport Protocol, a large-scale information distribution system that NTT developed two years ago. The system comprises RealPush Server software and RealPush Reader client software, which make it easy to become an information distributor. For users, the result is the real-time reception of information anytime and anyplace.
In a test distribution of information to 5,000 clients, NTT demonstrated that the prototype RealPush Network resulted in one one-hundredth (1/100) the server load and about one-sixtieth (1/60) the distribution time compared to conventional pull-type systems.
RealPush Network will enable information providers to cut the initial cost of server construction. Moreover, information will be received immediately and simultaneously by mass users.
NTT is now testing the technology in combination with a variety of networks, such as the Internet and satellite communications, to expand the functions and develop practical systems.
Development
Companies want to use the Internet to easily distribute information to mass users on a commercial basis. Information transmission via the Internet is based on a one-to-one form, however, so transmitting information to mass users requires companies to make one-to-one transmissions over and over.
The pull-style (para-push) system currently in use is a one-to-one system that forces the client's terminal to regularly visit the host system and retrieve new information, placing a heavy load on the host and the connecting networks, as well as often requiring much time for the information to be distributed.
Although there are computer communications systems, which use multicast functions, they were originally designed for broadcast-type communications. They do not offer reliable transmissions to mass users, so it cannot be used for commercial information services.
In 1995, NTT developed the Reliable Multicast Transport Protocol, a highly reliable method for delivering information to thousands of clients. Using the protocol, a server sends only one complete set of data to a router, regardless of the number of destinations, and the router copies the data according to the number of destinations. As a result, less load is placed on the server and less time is required for the distribution. At the same time, a communications record is created for each client, so the data can be re-transmitted to the clients who did not receive it the first time. The Reliable Multicast Transport Protocol has thus solved the problems of simultaneous information delivery via the Internet.
Technical Points
NTT developed the RealPush Network as a push system for real-time distribution of information to mass users.
Related technologies developed by NTT include Item Publishing Protocol (IPP), which controls attribute information (e.g., renewal time, effective period of contents, and copyright information) to manage the display of data sent from information providers, such as Web documents, ticker information, and images. This and other protocols and a browser are combined in RealPush Network.
Information providers can easily create, alter and delete channels with the server software (RealPush Server) to send data. Information providers can also set up attribute information regarding each item and its transmission schedule, and can successively transmit multiple items together. Such functions enable almost anyone to easily become an information distributor.
Users of the client software (RealPush Reader) can enjoy timely reception and browsing of information sent via the channel created by the provider. Furthermore, RealPush Reader enables users to extensively manage the information based on their attributes, such as changing how the items are displayed, changing the Web site destination, changing the order of display from the last renewal time, deleting items after a specified date, and managing items according to copyrights. In addition, the RealPush Reader client server is equipped with Java to work on a variety of computer platforms.
Future Development
Considering that the prototype system is flexible and expandable, NTT expects to introduce practical services soon.
The prototype technologies will be tested with a variety of networks, such as the Internet and satellite communications, to expand the original functions and develop more practical systems.
Furthermore, NTT will open the specifications of the newly developed protocols to the public for free use. NTT also plans to submit the new protocols to international standardization organizations, such as the Internet Society.
