(Ⅱ) P2P Technology

New Progress in P2P Technology

A pure P2P network does not have the notion of clients or servers but only equal peer nodes that simultaneously function as both "clients" and "servers" to the other nodes on the network. A variety of application forms are developed based on the P2P notion, for instance, P2P file sharing, distributed storage utility, (P2P and grid technology integration) distributed computing, distributed intelligent search engine and a P2P selforganized network.

However, the wide application of the P2P technology consumes excessive Internet bandwidth resources and affects the overall function of the Internet and upstream usage. A latest survey showed that 95 percent of night traffic volumes on the Internet is for P2P transfer, of which 20 percent is strictly encrypted.

To make better use of Internet resources, a P4P technology has emerged to enhance the communication and cooperation between P2P server and telecom operator and optimize P2P local traffic. It is aimed at higher P2P function, improving Internet transference effectiveness, and saving operation cost. Meanwhile, overlay network, which is controllable and built on the P2P technology, has become a hot research topic as well.

2. P2P Development in China

P2P technology and business have gone through three periods of development in China. Operators have transformed to optimizing traffic volumes from the previous "closed management," and are striving to create new business and new values through making comprehensive use of the P2P technology.

3. Key Technology and Its Development Trend

Currently, research on P2P and P4P technologies is focused on the following aspects: optimizing P2P local traffic, building controllable overlay network on the Internet; criteria for the judgment of P2P nodes relations; P2P network model and application; P2P resource distribution system and QoS guarantee; adaptive DHT computing, and the reliability and balance of distributed hash table, etc.

At present, how to create a better technology network to promote cooperation between P2P service provider and Internet operator has become an important development trend. It requires P2P service provider to perceive the demand from Internet users so as to expand P2P traffic, optimize P2P function and improve Internet transfer efficiency. Moreover, Chinese telecom operators are also keen on creating more business models and values on the basis of the P2P technology.

Thank you.

(China.org.cn November 7, 2008)