Hierarchical Master-Slave Network Scaling Peer-to-Peer Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing peer-to-peer network systems face limitations in scaling to a large number of terminals due to physical factors, such as terminal and network circuit performance, particularly when handling large data transfers like audio communications, where the number of connectable terminals is typically limited to around 80.
Innovation Solution
A network system is designed with a hierarchical structure of master and slave terminals, where master terminals communicate with each other and relay synthesized audio data across groups, reducing direct connections between all terminals and allowing for flexible network reconfiguration, enabling communication among a large number of terminals without physical limitations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If peer-to-peer communication is used to connect a large number of terminals, then direct communication between terminals is enabled, but the number of connectable terminals is limited to about 80 due to terminal and network circuit performance
Solution Approach 1:
The network system divides terminals into multiple groups, with each group managed by a master terminal. This segmentation allows the network to scale beyond the 80-terminal limit by distributing communication management across multiple master terminals, where each master handles a subset of slave terminals independently
Solution Approach 2:
Master terminals act as intermediaries between slave terminals and the rest of the network. Instead of direct peer-to-peer connections between all terminals, communication is routed through master terminals, reducing the connection burden on individual terminals while enabling larger network scale
2Ease of operation
If all terminals are directly connected in a peer-to-peer network, then any terminal can communicate with any other terminal, but the load on each terminal and network circuit increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The network divides communication load by segmenting terminals into groups under different masters. Each terminal only needs to maintain connections with its master terminal rather than all other terminals, significantly reducing the number of active connections and processing load per terminal
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple slave terminals are merged under a single master terminal's management. The master terminal consolidates communication tasks, synthesizing audio data from multiple slaves and managing external communications, thereby distributing and reducing individual terminal loads
3Quantity of substance
If the number of terminals in a peer-to-peer network is increased beyond 80, then more users can communicate, but physical limitations of terminals and network circuits prevent further expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The network transitions from a flat peer-to-peer structure to a hierarchical structure with multiple levels (slaves to masters, and masters interconnecting). This dimensional change allows the network to scale to thousands of terminals by adding hierarchical layers rather than increasing connections at the same level
Data Source
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AI summary
A network system is constructed by connecting a plurality of terminals to each other so that information such as audio data can be sent and/or received through peer-to-peer communication. The network system includes a plurality of groups each constituted from a plurality of terminals that execute the peer-to-peer communication with each other. Each group includes a master terminal connected to other terminals in the group and a plurality of slave terminals each connected to the master terminal. Each of the slave terminals communicates with the master terminal and the other slave terminals in the group. The master terminal communicates with master terminals in other groups in addition to the slave terminals in the group. In the case where a slave terminal communicates with a terminal in any other group, the slave terminal communicates with the terminal via the master terminal in the group to which the slave terminal belongs.