RE: Can P2P applications learn to play fair on networks?

[<michael.dillon () bt com>]

> Rep. Boucher's solution: more capacity, even though it has 
> been demonstrated many times more capacity doesn't actually 
> solve this particular problem.

Where has it been proven that adding capacity won't solve the P2P
bandwidth problem? I'm aware that some studies have shown that P2P
demand increases when capacity is added, but I am not aware that anyone
has attempted to see if there is an upper limit for that appetite.

In any case, politicians can often be convinced that a different action
is better (or at least good enough) if they can see action being taken.

> Packet switch networks are darn cheap because you share 
> capacity with lots of other uses; Circuit switch networks are 
> more expensive because you get dedicated capacity for your sole use.

That leaves us with the technology of sharing, and as others have
pointed out, use of DSCP bits to deploy a Scavenger service would
resolve the P2P bandwidth crunch, if operators work together with P2P
software authors. Since BitTorrent is open source, and written in Python
which is generally quite easy to figure out, how soon before an operator
runs a trial with a customized version of BitTorrent on their network?

--Michael Dillon