Peer-to-peer streaming: Lowering barrier to entry in IPTV

Abstract

IP Multicast is considered a core requirement for IPTV network architecture. In this paper, we argue that challenges associated with deploying and operating IP multicast networks is one of the reasons why smaller or medium-size service providers cannot offer IPTV services. We explore peer-topeer streaming as an alternative to IP multicast and argue that for congested urban areas it may be a superior choice to IP multicast-based network. We also share some initial results that suggest that peer-to-peer streaming can provide performance comparable to IP multicast.

On resource provisioning in hybrid peer-to-peer live streaming systems

“…We should note that IP multicast does not solve all the problems here. Even if IP multicast was widely deployed today, QoS solutions for IP multicast are practically non-existent and offering video streaming services based on IP multicast has been a challenge for most providers who have built closed IP multicast networks for their business [6].…”