On resource allocation strategies in managed peer-assisted VOD streaming systems

Strong with large pools of set-top-boxes (STB) already deployed and connected to high-capacity networks, broadband operators sit on a major opportunity to introduce P2P-based VOD streaming architectures that scales up to the demand, reduce the per-service cost, and ultimately position the operators in a more competitive footing in respect to the increasingly successful Internet streaming services Achieving the required cost-efficiency in such services involves many research challenges, chief among which is the resource allocation in terms of assigning contributing STBs to stream a given VOD service. This paper1 investigates resource allocation issues associated with the operation of P2P-based VOD streaming systems in the context of a broadband operator. First, we introduce basic resource allocation models that use a single-criterion (Available Uplink, Popularity Score, and Critical Score) to select contributing STBs and satisfy an incoming VOD request. We individually evaluate the performance of every singlecriterion resource allocation strategy, and highlight its strengths and weaknesses in dealing with different situations.