A Service-Oriented Peer-to-Peer Middleware

Abstract

Today, peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, e.g., filesharing networks like Gnutella, are specialised towards specific purposes. New P2P networks have to be created and installed to support new purposes. Furthermore, current P2P networks are almost impossible to use in business processes, because their lack of control makes them too unreliable. This paper addresses these problems by introducing a new middleware for P2P networks. The middleware supports the deployment and use of services inside a P2P network, independent of their purpose. It follows a modular design, thus allowing adaption through plug-ins. It includes negotiation mechanisms which can be used to configure a service according to a specific need. Furthermore, the middleware makes use of strong identities and offers mechanisms enabling the management of services through market forces, thus allowing the creation of legally enforceable contracts. Thus, it allows to reliably compose services into new value-added services. This paper also briefly describes the middleware's implementation and application in filesharing and wireless LAN scenarios.