Super-peer-based routing strategies for RDF-based peer-to-peer networks

RDF-based P2P networks have a number of advantages compared to simpler P2P networks such as Napster, Gnutella or to approaches based on distributed indices on binary keys such as CAN and CHORD. RDF-based P2P networks allow complex and extendable descriptions of resources instead of fixed and limited ones, and they provide complex query facilities against these metadata instead of simple keyword-based searches. In this paper we will discuss RDF-based P2P networks like Edutella as a specific example of a new type of P2P networks schema-based P2P networks and describe the use of super-peer based topologies for these networks. Super-peer based networks can provide better scalability than broadcast based networks, and provide support for inhomogeneous schema-based networks, with different metadata schemas and ontologies (crucial for the Semantic Web). Based on (dynamic) metadata routing indices, stated in RDF, the superpeer network supports sophisticated routing and distribution strategies, as well as preparing the ground for advanced mediation and clustering functionalities.