Novel architectures for P2P applications: the continuous-discrete approach

We propose a new approach for constructing P2P networks based on a dynamic decomposition of a continuous space into cells corresponding to processors. We demonstrate the power of these design rules by suggesting two new architectures, one for DHT (Distributed Hash Table) and the other for dynamic expander networks. The DHT network, which we call Distance Halving allows logarithmic routing and load, while preserving constant degrees. It offers an optimal tradeoff between the degree and the dilation in the sense that degree d guarantees a dilation of O(log d n). Another advantage over previous constructions is its relative simplicity. A major new contribution of this construction is a dynamic caching technique that maintains low load and storage even under the occurrence of hot spots. Our second construction builds a network that is guaranteed to be an expander. The resulting topologies are simple to maintain and implement. Their simplicity makes it easy to modify and add protocols. A small variation yields a DHT which is robust against random faults. Finally we show that, using our approach, it is possible to construct any family of constant degree graphs in a dynamic environment, though with worst parameters. Therefore we expect that more distributed data structures could be designed and implemented in a dynamic environment.