Is "NetSessions" Really Required?

[ComicRelief]

OK, I thought about just replying to one of the several "Akamai" threads out there, but I think some things may get lost in all of that traffic.

Based on my (admittedly limited) research, the question that I keep coming back to is this:

Is the "NetSessions" client really necessary, *OR* would Akamai's CDN (Content Delivery Network) be the better way to deploy new content?

In one of the other threads, Cordovan says:

The use of the Akamai Netsession client to facilitate distribution of launcher files is simply for that use.... The Akamai Netsession client is of particular importance to distribute new installations and to correct missing or corrupted files. Let's say you accidentally deleted a file in your DDO folder: Akamai will ping its network of servers using Netsession the next time you launch the launcher, discover that you need file X, and then deliver you that specific file from the nearest available edge server.
*snip*

So my question to the Turbine tech guys is - wouldn't Akamai's CDN do the same thing?

Do you really need to install NetSessions client (which starts on computer start-up and never shuts down unless manually dones so by the computer user, and has little or no user control) for the "correction" of missing or corrupt files?

{If not, then really, I would be OK with re-downloading the entire DDO setup file, if need be, if I had corrupted or missing files.}

I understand (I think) what is trying to be accommplished, but - on the surface at least - it appears that a sledgehammer is being used where only a tack hammer is needed.

I don't mind you guys using technology to better deploy stuff, but "client" software that is primarily designed and used for P2P stuff (yes, yes - the P2P is disabled - which only proves my point - why is it needed then?) seems the wrong choice, especially considering there is another method - by the same compnay - that does NOT use "client" software installed on local machines.

{Inset witty comment here that I'm too tired t think up right now.}
;)

[SilkofDrasnia]

No it has been proven the game works fine without Akamai using alternate launchers. You are also correct that they could still use Akamai to do updates and the like, in the same manner Micrsoft does without us having net session on our pc 24/7.

The only reason to have this net session running 24/7 on our pc's is to monitor our activity.

Not saying they have nefarious goals but this is unacceptable.

[ComicRelief]

No it has been proven the game works fine without Akamai using alternate launchers. You are also correct that they could still use Akamai to do updates and the like, in the same manner Micrsoft does without us having net session on our pc 24/7.

The only reason to have this net session running 24/7 on our pc's is to monitor our activity.

Not saying they have nefarious goals but this is unacceptable.

That's kind of the whole point of my OP - there is (apparently) and alternate method provided by Akamai that does NOT install the "NetSessions" client.

And I beleive Turbine has no control over how NetSessions "works" - that is, it is NetSessions determining that it needs to run 24/7, not Turbine or DDO. They are simply using it as the means to distribute new content, and if my research is accurate, CDN would do the same without installing any client software. Which gets me to wonder if anyone at Turbine looked at CDN at all.

And that, I cannot say. Saying, would be knowing; I do not know, so I cannot say.
;)

[Flavilandile]

Which gets me to wonder if anyone at Turbine looked at CDN at all.

Probably not...
Turbine Manglement got a call from a Salesdroid from Akamai that had that nice and shiny thing to sell in his objective.
Then they went to a meeting with said Salesdroid that was full of shiny powerpoints and the chitchat from the Salesdroid was great.
So Turbine Manglement said that the were going to take it and use it in their games... and then it came down the ladder in the form of :
We bought that shiny bit from Akamai, it needs to be integrated into games. Make it So.

But nobody considered alternatives or if it was really needed...
CDN does the same thing, but it doesn't need any software installed.

[Nestroy]

Probably not...
Turbine Manglement got a call from a Salesdroid from Akamai that had that nice and shiny thing to sell in his objective.
Then they went to a meeting with said Salesdroid that was full of shiny powerpoints and the chitchat from the Salesdroid was great.
So Turbine Manglement said that the were going to take it and use it in their games... and then it came down the ladder in the form of :
We bought that shiny bit from Akamai, it needs to be integrated into games. Make it So.

But nobody considered alternatives or if it was really needed...
CDN does the same thing, but it doesn't need any software installed.

And the bottom line: Customers upset - bad for business - make it change again. (Hopefully the shiny MBA$$es get this right. I amsure the devs would.)

[NaturalHazard]

Probably not...
Turbine Manglement got a call from a Salesdroid from Akamai that had that nice and shiny thing to sell in his objective.
Then they went to a meeting with said Salesdroid that was full of shiny powerpoints and the chitchat from the Salesdroid was great.
So Turbine Manglement said that the were going to take it and use it in their games... and then it came down the ladder in the form of :
We bought that shiny bit from Akamai, it needs to be integrated into games. Make it So.

But nobody considered alternatives or if it was really needed...
CDN does the same thing, but it doesn't need any software installed.

And what DDO is the lab rat? They are not going to use this with their other games?