A mathematical framework for analyzing incentives in peer-to-peer networks
Mohammed Onimisi Yahaya · Science World Journal · 2014
The existence and performance of peer-to-peer systems depend on the contribution of resources from interacting peers. One of the challenges of resource sharing in peer-to-peer systems is free riding. A situation users attempt to exploit the system by utilizing the resources of others without contributing. We view this from rationality perspective that every peer in the network will attempt to maximize their utility of the system. In this paper, we approach the problem of free riders mitigation from utility optimization point of view, by modeling each peer's interest as Utility Maximization Problem (UTP). We propose analytical model for the whole network as a mixed integer linear programming model. The super peers in the network are given the responsibility of maximizing the utility of all peers connected to them. This is to ensure fairness among the interacting peers and the stability of the entire system. This technique allows peers to either upload or download resources based on their best strategy and interest. Keywords : Free rider, Utility, Peer-to-Peer, Incentives, Maximization, Resources