In this paper we propose an analytical model for file diffusion in a peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing network based on biological epidemics. During the downloading process, the peer shares the downloaded parts of the file and, thus, contributes to distributing it in the network. This behavior is similar to the spreading of epidemic diseases which is a well researched subject in mathematical biol...

In this paper we propose an analytical model for file diffusion in a peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing network based on biological epidemics. During the downloading process, the peer shares the downloaded parts of the file and, thus, contributes to distributing it in the network. This behavior is similar to the spreading of epidemic diseases which is a well researched subject in mathematical biol...

In contrast to peer-to-peer file sharing, live streaming based on peer-to-peer technology is still awaiting its breakthrough. This may be due to the additional challenges live streaming faces, e.g., the need to meet real-time playback deadlines, or the increased demands on robustness under churn. This paper presents and evaluates novel neighbor selection and data distribution schemes for peer-t...

Most of the research in the field of peer-to-peer file sharing systems has concentrated on performance issues such as efficient file lookup, replicating files to improve file download speeds etc. However there is a new challenge that questions the very existence and usefulness of such systems in the form of ”Free Riding”. This paper studies the seriousness of the negative impact that free ridin...

Many P2P file sharing systems are subject to the pollution attack, whereby corrupted copies of popular titles are aggressively introduced into the system. In this paper we explore defenses to the pollution attack. Specifically, we develop efficient mechanisms to determine (i) the IP ranges responsible for introducing polluted content (that is, the blacklist set); and (ii) the pollution levels o...

Incentive mechanisms play a critical role in P2P systems. Private BitTorrent sites use a novel incentive paradigm, where the sites record upload and download amounts of users and require each user to maintain its upload-to-download ratio above a specified threshold. This paper explores in-depth incentives in private P2P file-sharing systems. Our contributions are threefold. We first conduct a m...

Peer to peer file sharing is ’booming’, but meanwhile censorship of these networks and prosecution of users that share censored content are growing just as quickly. In this paper, we propose a novel notion of deniability as an easy and efficient method for users to avoid censorship and prosecution. The fundamental concept is that a given data element, which contains controversial or censored co...

The performance of an eDonkey-based mobile P2P file-sharing system is investigated by means of time-dynamic simulations. We show in detail that the sizes of the swapping entities, i.e. chunks and blocks, influence the time required for downloading a file. The performance depends on mobile P2P specific factors, like the access technology or the size of typical contents of mobile users.

The peer-to-peer (P2P) paradigm provides a data distribution model that may be attractive for Video on Demand (VoD) as it allows to decrease the costs and to increase the scalability of video distribution. However, VoD is more challenging for P2P technology than file sharing or live streaming, and so, practically feasible VoD systems proposed to date rely on a backend server infrastructure as a...

P2P systems provide a scalable solution for distributing large files in a network. The file is split into many chunks, and peers contact other peers to collect missing chunks to eventually complete the entire file. The so-called ‘rare chunk’ phenomenon, where a single chunk becomes rare and prevents peers from completing the file, is a threat to the stability of such systems. Practical systems ...