System and method for establishment of a client/server type relationship in a peer-to-peer network

摘要

A system for establishing a client/server type relationship in a hybrid peer to peer network connects a first peer (20a) to a second peer (20d) implementing a predetermined function (F) in that peer to peer network. To this end, the first peer (20a) has a superpeer (10a) capable of establishing a list (LF) of the active peers (20d, 20e) implementing the function (F) in the service of the peers of the network and of sending that list (LF) to its peer (20a). The first peer (20a) can then establish a client/server type relationship with a second peer (20d) selected in that list (LF).

主权项

1. A device for use as a superpeer that manages at least one peer in a hybrid peer-to-peer network that includes at least two active, initially non-implementing peers that do not implement a predetermined function, the device comprising:
means for receiving a service request for the predetermined function from at least one of the at least two active non-implementing peers; means for identifying active implementing peers in the hybrid peer-to-peer network that implement the predetermined function; means for determining a number corresponding to how many of said active implementing peers are in the hybrid peer-to-peer network; means for sending, to at least one other of the at least two active non-implementing peers, a request for said at least one other of the at least two active non-implementing peers to obtain and implement the predetermined function if said number is less than a predetermined minimum threshold; means for establishing a list of said active implementing peers; and means for sending said list to said at least one of the at least two active non-implementing peers that sent said service request for the predetermined function.