System and method for anonymous addressing of content on network peers and for private peer-to-peer file sharing

摘要

A system and method for efficient and private peer-to-peer file sharing consists of ascribing a uniquely identified and anonymous link (an “edgelink”) to any file or set of files on a peer computer. The link is registered with a publishing server along with continuously updated connectivity information about the peer without registering any identifying information about the file. A peer recipient is able to access the link, receive connectivity information about the publishing peer from the server, and then receive the file from the publishing peer without file content passing through the server, mediating any intermediary NAT devices without requiring any manual or automatic device reconfiguration.

主权项

1. A system for peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing comprising a publishing server having a computer processor, the publishing server operable to:
(a) register a unique anonymous link generated for at least one selected file on a peer computer, the link providing anonymity for the peer computer by rendering the network address and identity of the peer computer as indecipherable by another peer notwithstanding possession of the link, and the link providing anonymity for at least one selected file by rendering the contents of the file as imperceptible to another peer notwithstanding possession of the link; (b) obtain periodic connectivity information for the peer computer; and (c) enable a peer recipient to access the link, the accessing initiating:
(i) establishment of a network path between the peer recipient and the peer computer utilizing the connectivity information to enable the peer recipient to obtain the at least one selected file without the at least one selected file being required to pass through the publishing server; and(ii) mediation of intermediary network address translation (NAT) devices without requiring any manual or automatic NAT device reconfiguration.