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March 17, 2008
P2P Speeds Large Data Transfers Over Internet
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NEW YORK, March 14 -- Large files can be moved over the
Internet more quickly and efficiently using a new peer-to-peer (P2P)
file transfer system, recent tests over the Verizon network show. The
new P2P protocol guides the selection of file sources and network
pathways rather than letting the selection happen randomly, or using
criteria that don't maximize efficiency.
P2P file transfers using distribution software that links content
owners to authorized users is increasing, with companies like TV
networks, movie distributors and software firms taking advantage of P2P
as a low-cost distribution option.
When deployed, the new system will move material authorized by the
content owners -- such as movies, TV programs, software or large data
bases -- faster for consumers and more efficiently for network
operators. The new system and tests were described in a presentation
Friday, March 14, in New York by Douglas Pasko, Verizon senior
technologist and co-chair of the P4P Working Group, and co-chair Laird
Popkin of Pando Networks. The group is sponsored the Distributed
Computing Industry Association (DCIA). Yale University software experts
worked on and monitored the project. Companies like Pando Networks and
others provide content-sharing companies and customers with secure
programs for their exchanges.
The new system addresses a growing challenge to Internet service
providers (ISPs) and network carriers as P2P networking becomes more
and more common. Because many files transferred today using P2P are so
massive, P2P sharing can account for well beyond half of total Internet
traffic, according to industry estimates.
No longer the dark-alley distribution system for unauthorized file
sharing, advanced P2P delivery networks link content-seekers with
licensed files they want and that are stored by other subscribed users
rather than on servers maintained by content owners or ISPs. P2P is
being mainstreamed by distributors like NBC Universal, which is
beginning to distribute its NBC Direct programming by leveraging P2P
technology and software provided by Pando Networks, rather than the
traditional client-server approach.
"The results of the testing have been phenomenal," said Pasko.
"Customer and network benefits were seen as soon as the test began.
This new system, which routes files along the fastest, least expensive
path, offers our FiOS customers P2P downloads up to six times faster
than networks without the overlay, the study showed. On average,
download speeds using other Internet access technologies improve by
about 60 percent."
According to Pasko, the end result of the experiment and ultimate
implementation could be "carrier-grade P2P," once focused routing and
handling replace arbitrary delivery paths. The system could cut P2P
network delivery costs for participating network companies by as much
as 50 percent.
"We are thrilled with these results and look forward to helping
Verizon and other ISPs deploy the technology more broadly," said
Popkin, who is chief technology officer of Pando Networks.
The working group was set up within the DCIA to engage more industry
players in the test and to share the results throughout the industry.
The ultimate impact will be to relieve pressure on networks so that
phone companies, cable companies, ISPs and content owners can limit or
avoid system clogging of file delivery pathways.
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