Peer Location in P2P File Transfers via Network Coordinates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current peer-to-peer file sharing methods, such as BitTorrent, often ignore network latency, leading to high cross-ISP traffic and increased costs for internet service providers, as they prioritize throughput over individual piece delivery speed, resulting in throttling of BitTorrent traffic.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a network coordinate system using a virtual positioning algorithm like Vivaldi to locate low-latency peers within the same Internet Service Provider (ISP) or autonomous system, allowing peers to discover and connect with local peers through a distributed hash table, reducing cross-ISP traffic by prioritizing local connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If peers connect randomly without considering network latency, then peer discovery is simple, but cross-ISP traffic increases and download speeds decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary network latency measurements between peers before file transfer begins. By pre-measuring and storing latency values in a distributed hash table, the system prepares connection information in advance, allowing peers to select low-latency connections without increasing cross-ISP traffic during actual file transfers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a distributed hash table as an intermediary structure that stores pre-measured latency information between peers. This intermediary allows peers to query and select optimal connections based on stored latency data without requiring real-time measurement or complex routing protocols during file transfer
2Loss of energy
If peers prioritize local connections within the same ISP, then bandwidth costs are reduced, but peer discovery complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by prioritizing connections to peers within the same ISP or autonomous system. By using latency measurements to identify geographically or network-proximally located peers, the system preferentially establishes local connections that reduce cross-ISP bandwidth costs while maintaining P2P distribution benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the selection parameter from random peer choice to latency-based peer selection. By measuring and utilizing network latency as a key parameter, the system transforms peer discovery from a uniform random process to a targeted selection process that identifies low-latency local peers without requiring complex ISP-aware routing logic
3Device complexity
If network latency is ignored in peer selection, then peer-to-peer transfers are simpler to implement, but ISPs throttle BitTorrent traffic due to high cross-ISP traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary latency measurements and stores results in a distributed hash table before file transfers occur. This advance preparation allows peers to select low-latency connections during transfers, ensuring reliable performance without requiring complex real-time latency management or ISP-specific protocols
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by having peers continuously measure and update latency values in the distributed hash table. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to changing network conditions and maintain reliable low-latency connections, preventing ISP throttling by demonstrating reduced cross-ISP traffic patterns
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for facilitating peer-to-peer networking among local peers are described. Hashes are generated from a digital content file and virtual coordinates of virtual nodes in a virtual coordinate system. The generated hashes are then used to retrieve peer connection information.