2.9.7 Object Location from name - broadcast

• Ask all possible objects within the system if they respond to that name. Can be efficient if network supports broadcast eg Ethernet and other LANs.

• Equivalent to distributing name table across all objects, objects storing names referring to them.

• Only want positive responses - all responses would generate a lot of traffic.

• Scaling problem when move into wide area.
  • Greater number of hosts imply greater probability of failure

  • Broadcasts consume higher proportion of bandwidth, made worse due to higher failures needing more location requests

• Broadcast used only on small LAN based systems (and in initial location of directory)