A Utility-Based Incentive Scheme for P2P File Sharing in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

A synergy exists between MANETs and P2P networks since both are decentralized and have dynamic topologies. This paper presents a utility-based incentive scheme for P2P file sharing over MANETs, designed to encourage users to contribute to the network by sharing files. The scheme combines a virtual pricing mechanism with file transfer delay estimation and allows users to choose the best peer to download from based on their preference for price vs. delay. Users can choose to lower the delay experienced or focus on obtaining files for the lowest price. Simulation results show that the utility-based scheme does a much better job of promoting sharing of files by users in comparison to an unpriced and a fixed price scheme, the delay per downloaded file tends to be lower, and the MANET has a greater network lifetime.