US 8,806,049 B2 · P2P-engine

Abstract

A peer-to-peer (P2P) overlay network, which comprises a streaming source and a plurality of peers arranged in distribution layers, is arranged such that the total number of distribution layers of the overlay network is reduced. First, the upload capacity of each individual peer is determined and a maximum number of overlay peers to which said each individual peer can upload is calculated. Then, the peers are arranged in hierarchical order in relation to the streaming source on the basis of the maximum number of peers to which each individual peer can upload data. A higher number results in the individual peer being arranged in a distribution layer closer to the streaming source while a lower number results in the individual peer being arranged in a distribution layer further from the streaming source. Thus, the total number of distribution layers of the overlay network is reduced.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method of arranging a peer-to-peer (P2P) overlay network comprising a streaming source and a plurality of peers arranged in distribution layers, the method comprising:

determining upload capacity for each peer and calculating a maximum number of overlay peers to which said each peer can upload data;
and
arranging the peers in hierarchical order in relation to the streaming source on the basis of the maximum number of overlay peers to which said each individual peer can upload data, wherein a higher number results in said each individual peer being arranged in a distribution layer closer to the streaming source whereas a lower number results in said each individual peer being arranged in a distribution layer further from the streaming source, such that the total number of distribution layers of the overlay network is reduced.

A device for arranging a peer-to-peer (P2P) overlay network comprising a streaming source and a plurality of peers arranged in distribution layers, the device comprising:

a processor configured to:
receive peer information indicating upload capacity for each peer and calculate a maximum number of overlay peers to which said each peer can upload data;
arrange the peers in hierarchical order in relation to the streaming source on the basis of the maximum number of overlay peers to which said each peer can upload data, wherein a higher number results in said each individual peer being arranged in a distribution layer closer to the streaming source whereas a lower number results in said each individual peer being arranged in a distribution layer further from the streaming source, such that the total number of distribution layers of the overlay network is reduced;
and
send connectivity orders to the peers, thereby indicating the hierarchical order according to which the peers should be placed in the distribution layers.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

P2P-engine

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P2P-engine

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Abstract

Claims18