P2P Overlay Network Sub-stream Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing P2P live streaming systems face challenges in efficiently utilizing peer bandwidth and maintaining resilience to high peer churn, with tree-based systems being inflexible and mesh-based systems having long setup times, while also requiring robustness against failures.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for arranging a P2P overlay network by dividing data content into sub-streams and distributing them across peers in distribution layers, allowing peers to upload and download sub-streams efficiently, with error correction algorithms like MDC and FEC ensuring resilience, and optimizing peer connectivity to minimize playback delay and maximize bandwidth utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If tree-based systems are used to structure P2P overlay network, then data flow efficiency is improved, but flexibility in peer connectivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The data stream is segmented into multiple sub-streams that can be distributed through different paths in the overlay network. This allows the system to maintain tree-based efficient data flow for each sub-stream while providing flexibility in peer connectivity by allowing peers to join and leave different sub-stream distributions independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of sub-stream identification and distribution layer organization. By adding the sub-stream dimension to the traditional single-tree structure, peers can be arranged in distribution layers where each layer handles specific sub-streams, enabling both efficient data flow within layers and flexible peer connectivity across layers.
2Reliability
If mesh-based systems are used for P2P overlay network, then robustness to high churn is improved, but setup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary organization of peers into distribution layers and assigns sub-stream responsibilities before actual data distribution begins. This preliminary structuring reduces setup time compared to pure mesh-based systems while maintaining robustness through the layered architecture that can tolerate peer failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The overlay network structure is made dynamic by allowing peers to be reassigned between distribution layers and sub-streams as they join or leave the network. This dynamic reorganization capability provides robustness to churn while maintaining efficient data flow, avoiding the long setup times of static mesh structures.
3Reliability
If data content is divided into multiple sub-streams, then resilience to peer failures is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing data into multiple sub-streams segmented by identification information creates redundancy paths for data delivery. If one sub-stream or its distributing peer fails, other sub-streams can continue delivery, and missing data can be recovered through error correction codes distributed across sub-streams, improving resilience without requiring complex peer-to-peer negotiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of data organization from single-stream to multi-substream with error correction codes embedded. This parameter change improves resilience by distributing redundancy across sub-streams while managing complexity through systematic organization of sub-streams in distribution layers with clear peer responsibilities.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of and a device for arranging a P2P overlay network comprising a streaming source and a plurality of peers arranged in distribution layers, the streaming source being arranged to divide data content to be streamed into a plurality of content sub-streams together forming the data content and to distribute the plurality of content sub-streams to the network peers.