Finding reliable path for peer to peer application in mobile environment

Abstract

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) as well as mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) follows the same idea of creating a network without the help of central entities. However, P2P and MANETs operate on different network layers. A combination of both, creates new services and possibilities, but also faces several problems. As smarter mobile devices are increasingly adopted by the wider public, to access p2p applications, the question of who to trust while on the move becomes a crucial one. When operating within ad-hoc type p2p networks, a trust-based framework is the logical solution to provide ways to distinguish the most trustworthy neighbors. This promotes reliable information transfer, and encourages content and resource sharing. This paper proposes a scheme to set up such trusted paths, based upon aggregating individual peers' trust, given out by their nearest neighbor. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.