Incentives in peer-to-peer and grid networking
T. Ackemann, Richard H. Gold, Cecilia Mascolo, W Emmerich · 2002
Today, most peer-to-peer networks are based on the assumption that the participating nodes are cooperative. This works if the nodes are indifferent or ignorant about the resources they offer, but limits the usability of peer-to-peer networks to very few scenarios. It specifically excludes their usage in any non-cooperative peer-to-peer environment, be it Grid networks or mobile ad-hoc networks. By introducing soft incentives to offer resources to other nodes, we see an overall performance gain in traditional file-sharing networks. We also see soft incentives promoting the convergence of peer-to-peer and Grid networks, as they increase the predictability of the participating nodes, and therefore the reliability of the services provided by the system as a whole. Reliability is what is required by Grid networks, but missing in peer-to-peer networks. 1