About the Lifespan of Peer to Peer Networks

In this paper we analyze the ability of peer to peer networks to deliver a complete file among the peers. Early on we motivate a broad generalization of network behavior organizing it into one of two successive phases. According to this view the network has two main states: first centralized - few sources (roots) hold the complete file, and next distributed - peers hold some parts (chunks) of the file such that the entire network has the whole file, but no individual has it. In the distributed state we study two scenarios, first, when the peers are "patient", i.e, do not leave the system until they obtain the complete file; second, peers are "impatient" and almost always leave the network before obtaining the complete file. We first analyze the transition from a centralized system to a distributed one. We describe the necessary and sufficient conditions that allow this vital transition. The second scenario occurs when the network is already in the distributed state....

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2006
• Where: CORR
• Authors: Rudi Cilibrasi, Zvi Lotker, Alfredo Navarra, Stéphane Pérennes, Paul M. B. Vitányi
• Keywords: Broad Generalization, Complete File, CORR 2006, Education, Successive Phases