BEAM: An Efficient Peer to Peer Media Streaming Framework

In this paper, we present a swarm based peer to peer media streaming model. In our approach, nodes that serve the maximum content to their peers have a higher utility to the swarm and become candidates for direct relay of stream from the media server. This reward forms a natural incentive for the nodes to contribute to the swarm. Nodes cluster into small groups, called alliances, for a symbiotic association. Alliance members must exchange pieces to have the complete packet. This policy dissuades non-cooperating members in an alliance from their selfish behavior. We study our model using a simulator and present some initial results