Morpheus which use to be the leader in P2P software is aiming to gain popularity again with what they call 3rd generation peer-to-peer software with its new search technology. In the first generation of P2P software such as the original defunct Napster and Audio Galaxy, there was only one main server that held a database of all files shared on the network. This made it searching the entire network very straight forward and efficient. However these were shut down due to legal issues and replaced by 2nd generation decentralised P2P networks. However, the search technology was poorly developed and only searched a small fraction of the entire network.
StreamCast Networks' new search technology NEOnet takes a different approach to locate shared files. NEOnet first works by distributing hash tables from peer to peer as new peers and files show and disappear to create a full network snapshot of shared files on peers across the network. When a search is then performed the search request is passed to any connected peer. If this peer does not have any info on the requested file, it passes it on to the next peer it determines to have more info. This hop-to-hop approach continues until the request reaches a peer with a more detailed snapshot of the network. In fact, it should take no more than four hops to find any file available across the entire network, even if it is one file among millions of peers online.
In previous 2nd generation P2P networks, a search is passed on randomly from peer-to-peer which means each search will likely show up totally different results to a previous search and the results typically cover a small fraction of the network.
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Morpheus developers are looking to recapture their onetime leading role in the file-trading world with a network technology called Neonet, written by a pair of former Harvard students. Dubbed "distributed hash tables," Neonet's technology transforms the way that searches happen on peer-to-peer networks, potentially making it more efficient to search a much larger number of computers and more easily surface rare files. Similar technology is also used by eDonkey, a competitor that is on the verge of overtaking Kazaa as the most widely used peer-to-peer service in the world. "Peer-to-peer technology to date is not good enough yet," said Michael Weiss, StreamCast's chief executive officer. "People ask, does the world really need another peer-to-peer network? I think the answer is, yes we do, because nobody's gotten it right yet." The advances in peer-to-peer networking come as programmers are increasingly looking at using the technology most often associated with file trading for new applications such as Internet calling or instant messaging. Read the full rather lengthy article here. |
Audio Galaxy and the original Napster were the only two networks I knew that could find very rare tracks. Unfortunately, as these were centralised files sharing networks, both were shut down as a result. It will be interesting to see how well Morpheus does with being able to search the full network, however unlike some competing peer-to-peer networks, the consumer must put up with adware or pay for the premium version of Morpheus.
Feel free to discuss and find out more about Morpheus, other file sharing networks and legal alternatives on our Music Downloads, P2P & Legal Issues Forum.
Source: CNET News - Web Software
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