Models for P2P Multi-Source Streaming

In peer-to-peer (P2P) overlay networks, multimedia objects are distributed in peers and source peers transmit a multimedia object to receiver peers. In this paper, we would like to discuss how multiples source peers deliver multimedia objects to receiver peers in a streaming model so that enough quality of service (QoS) required is supported in presence of QoS change. A multimedia object is realized in a sequence of primitive objects which are units of transmission at the P2P overlay layer. The receiver peer is required to receive primitive objects of the multimedia object with enough QoS, e.g. no primitive object loss. We discuss types of multi-source streaming (MSS) models where a receiver peer can receive primitive objects of a multimedia object from multiple source peers which can support enough QoS.There are serial and parallel types of MSS models. In the serial MSS model, a receiver peer receives each primitive object from one of the source peers at a time. If a current source peer is expected to support lower QoS than required or not to support a succeeding primitive object, another source peer starts sending primitive objects. In the parallel MSS model, multiple source peers in parallel send primitive object units to the receiver peer. A primitive object is redundantly sent by multiple source peers or non-redundantly sent by a source peer. Here the throughput and reliability can be increased.