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PointCast
**PointCast** was an early push technology service prominent in the late 1990s, which delivered personalized news and information to users' desktops over the internet, typically via a screensaver interface. It relied heavily on port 90 for communication, using both TCP and UDP protocols to transfer data streams and content updates..
Port 90 was utilized by PointCast, one of the pioneering webcasting platforms that leveraged 'push' technology to deliver live news feeds, stock tickers, and other customized web content. It employed both TCP and UDP depending on the type of data and the need for reliable versus fast delivery. Key to its operation was maintaining an open connection with the PointCast server infrastructure for updates.
Architecturally, PointCast functioned by acting as a screensaver which connected regularly over the internet, retrieving personalized content streams. This required the application to establish outbound connections on port 90, which was non-standard and largely unofficial compared to typical service ports. The system architecture made heavy use of HTTP-like communication layered over this port number, though it did not conform strictly to HTTP standards.
Today, port 90 is generally considered unassigned by IANA for any official purpose. Nevertheless, due to historic usage by PointCast and potentially other unofficial services, it might still be seen open or occasionally used in legacy settings or niche point solutions. Awareness of its background helps in interpreting network scans and legacy system behaviors.