With BitTorrent-like protocols a client may download a file from a large and changing set of peers, using connections of heterogeneous and time-varying bandwidths. This flexibility is achieved by breaking the file into many small pieces, each of which may be downloaded from different peers.#R##N##R##N#This paper considers an approach to peer-assisted on-demand delivery of stored media that is based on the relatively simple and flexible BitTorrent-like approach, but which is able to achieve a form of "streaming" delivery, in the sense that playback can begin well before the entire media file is received. Achieving this goal requires: (1) a piece selection strategy that effectively mediates the conflict between the goals of high piece diversity, and the in-order requirements of media file playback, and (2) an on-line rule for deciding when playback can safely commence. We present and evaluate using simulation candidate protocols including both of these components.
['Niklas Carlsson', 'Derek L. Eager']
Peer-assisted on-demand streaming of stored media using BitTorrent-like protocols