Methods and apparatus for data transfer
Methods and apparatus for an efficient peer-to-peer (p2p) system generally includes a server selection mechanism connected to a p2p network. The server selection mechanism may be configured to maintain a list that describes the servers which are storing at least a portion of a specified file. The server selection mechanism may be configured to selectively distribute at least a portion of the file between servers, for example according to the description in the list.
1. A computer system configured to facilitate transfer of a file having at least one segment via a p2p network, the system comprising:
a processor having access to the p2p network; and
a memory responsive to the processor, wherein the memory stores a p2p communication program configured to cause the computer system to:
monitor an availability of the at least one file segment via the p2p network;
automatically adjust the availability of the at least one file segment via the p2p network according to the availability of the at least one file segment, comprising:
selecting a supplementary data source from a set of multiple candidate data sources according to at least one of:
a bandwidth of the supplementary data source; and
a cost associated with transferring data via the supplementary data source; and
making the supplementary data source available via the p2p network, wherein the supplementary data source offers the at least one file segment for transfer;
receive a request for the at least one file segment via the p2p network; and
refer the request for the at least one file segment to the selected supplementary data source.
2. The computer system according to claim 1 , wherein causing the computer system to monitor the availability of the at least one file segment includes causing the computer system to receive a request for a supplementary data source from a peer in response to a low availability of the at least one file segment on the p2p network.
3. The computer system according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one file segment is a BitTorrent file segment.
4. A method for transferring a file having multiple segments via a p2p network, comprising:
monitoring an availability of at least one of the file segments via the p2p network; and
automatically adjusting the availability of the at least one file segment via the p2p network according to the availability of the at least one file segment, comprising:
selecting a supplementary data source from a set of multiple candidate data sources according to at least one of:
a bandwidth of the supplementary data source: and
a cost associated with transferring data via the supplementary data source; and
making the supplementary data source available via the p2p network,
wherein the supplementary data source offers the at least one file segment for transfer;
receiving a request for the at least one file segment via the p2p network; and
referring the request for the at least one file segment to the selected supplementary data source.
5. The method for transferring a file according to claim 4 , wherein monitoring the availability of the at least one file segment comprises receiving a request for a supplementary data source from a peer in response to a low availability of the at least one file segment on the p2p network.
6. The method for transferring a file according to claim 4 , wherein the at least one file segment is a BitTorrent file segment.
7. A non-transitory medium storing computer-executable instructions, wherein the instructions are configured to cause a computer coupled to a p2p network to:
monitor an availability of at least one file segment via the p2p network; and
automatically adjust the availability of the at least one file segment via the p2p network according to the availability of the at least one file segment, comprising
selecting a supplementary data source from a set of multiple candidate data sources according to at least one of:
a bandwidth of the supplementary data source; and
a cost associated with transferring data via the supplementary data source;
making the supplementary data source available via the p2p network,
wherein the supplementary data source offers the at least one file segment for transfer;
receive a request for the at least one file segment via the p2p network; and
refer the request for the at least one file segment to the selected supplementary data source.
8. The non-transitory medium according to claim 7 , wherein causing the computer to monitor the availability of the at least one file segment includes causing the computer to receive a request for a supplementary data source from a peer in response to a low availability of the at least one file segment on the p2p network.
9. The non-transitory medium according to claim 7 , wherein the at least one file segment is a BitTorrent file segment.