In this paper we analyze different business models for the distribution of content and services over IP networks and outline their distinct characteristics and value propositions. Four business models are distinguished: Centralized Internet Hosting, Direct Homing, Content Delivery Networks and P2P Distribution. In contrast to prior research, we focus on the ability of present technology to supp...

Peer-to-peer content-distribution networks have a large user community in the fixed Internet today and cause a noticeable part of Internet traffic. Enabling popular peer-to-peer applications on mobile devices in cellular networks is an interesting opportunity for both, customers and operators. However, when mobile devices join peer-to-peer networks, the networks become heterogeneous (e.g. diffe...

Content distribution networks have recently been introduced as a more efficient alternative to centralized servers for the delivery of static content as well as media streaming services ranging from TV broadcasts to video on-demand. Content Distribution Networks can also efficiently provide collaborative playback service, which allows a synchronous group of users to select, simultaneously watch...

Content replication and distribution is an effective technology to reduce the response time for web accesses and has been proven quite popular among large Internet content providers. However, existing content distribution systems assume a store-and-forward delivery model and is mostly based on static content. This paper describes the design, implementation, and initial evaluation of a network r...

We study the throughput and delay characteristics of wireless networks based on an information-centric network architecture, where users are mainly interested in retrieving content stored in the network, rather than in maintaining source-destination communication. Nodes are assumed to be uniformly distributed in the network area. Each node has a limited-capacity content store, which it uses to ...

Content networks (CNs) are being introduced to extend content distribution networks (CDNs) with content creation, modification, management, and placement mechanisms to support value-added services and modern applications. This paper presents a CN-based architecture supporting collaborative media streaming services which allow a synchronous group of users to select, watch and control a multimedi...

Content adaptation is an essential concept to meet the heterogeneous requirements of clients in Pervasive Computing environments. However, content adaptation interferes with replication applied in content networks to improve the performance of information access. Leveraging the advantages of replication in the world of Pervasive Computing is the subject of this paper. We introduce the notion of...

IPTV, acronym of Internet Protocol Television, is a system that delivers television services through Internet protocol networks. Therefore, an IPTV system consists of many subsystems including content management, user management, and broadcast management systems. Among the main subsystems, the distribution management system handles purchasing orders from distributors, transcoding original conte...