Managing traffic in peer-to-peer networks: the token-web protocol

We distinguish two types of P2P protocols: structured protocols, which use a directed search approach, and unstructured protocols, which use a flooding approach. We propose the Token-Web as a new type of P2P, semi-structured protocols, that combines directed search and controlled flooding. The protocol presumes that most participants are trustworthy and therefore it does not require authentification. However, mechanisms to prevent disruption are set in place. In this paper, we describe the Token-Web and present results of experiments conducted to assess its properties in a simulated environment and on PlanetLab. The results obtained show that the number of tokens tends to stabilize over time, the message drop rate depends on the level of activity in the network, and the query success rate is dependent on the popularity of the resource sought.

, 2011