A Comparison of Peer-to-Peer Search Methods.

Abstract

Peer-to-Peer networks have become a major research topic over the last few years. Object location is a major part in the operation of these distributed systems. In this work, we present an overview of several search methods for unstructured peer-to-peer networks. Popular file-sharing applications, through which enormous amounts of data are daily exchanged, operate on such networks. We analyze the performance of the algorithms relative to their success rates, bandwidth consumption and adaptation to changing topologies. Simulation results are used to empirically evaluate their behavior in direct comparison.