Peer-to-Peer Support for a Personal Service Environment

Fueled by the success of large-scale file sharing applications, the peer-to-peer model is advancing as a powerful computing paradigm. However, peer-to-peer technology is still at an adolescent stage of development, due partly to the fact that network system designers do not fully understand the ramifications of designing large-scale peer-topeer systems. In this paper we present an analysis of peer-to-peer systems from a design perspective. In particular, we explore the concepts of decentralization, trust, and performance in a peer-to-peer context. Based on this analysis, we have designed and implemented Briefcase Connectivity, a general communication subsystem for a personal service environment, called sView. SView is a virtual briefcase that serves as a storage and execution environment for personalized, electronic services. Aided by JXTA technology, Briefcase Connectivity organizes sView briefcases into a largescale peer-to-peer network upon which services that require this network can be deployed. In addition, Briefcase Connectivity provides a simple networking interface that facilitates the design of many types of networked services, eliminating the need for service providers to design proprietary network architectures and networking primitives. This interface enables multiple sView services to access the network simultaneously and provides basic mechanisms for services to discover each other and communicate. Briefcase Connectivity continues the work of the OASIS group at SICS, whose goal is to provide end-users with a collaborative, open service environment. With Briefcase Connectivity in place, we hope to leverage the community of sView users, the ultimate purpose of which is to bring to the user a greater number of specialized services, to enable individual users to become service providers, and to simplify the propagation of cooperating services. Acknowledgments This work was funded by the HUMLE laboratory at SICS. I would like to thank my supervisors, Fredrik Espinoza and Dr. Arnold Pears, SICS, all the fine people in the HUMLE laboratory, and especially my wonderful fiancée, Katarina.