The peer-assisted streaming paradigm has been widely employed to distribute live video data on the internet recently. In general, the mesh-based pull approach is more robust and efficient than the tree-based push approach. However, pull protocol brings about longer streaming delay, which is caused by the handshaking process of advertising buffer map message, sending request message and scheduling of the data block. In this paper, we propose a new approach, mesh-push, to address this issue. Different from the traditional pull approach, mesh-push implements block scheduling algorithm at sender side, where the block transmission is initiated by the sender rather than by the receiver. We first formulate the optimal upload bandwidth utilization problem, then present the mesh-push approach, in which a token protocol is designed to avoid block redundancy; a min-cost flow model is employed to derive the optimal scheduling for the push peer; and a push peer selection algorithm is introduced to reduce control overhead. Finally, we evaluate mesh-push through simulation, the results of which show mesh-push outperforms the pull scheduling in streaming delay, and achieves comparable delivery ratio at the same time.

This work proposes a distributed fault protection mechanism called the Dynamic-Shared Segment Protection (DSSP) algorithm for WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) mesh networks. The objects are to assure high probability of path protection and efficient use of network resources. The proposed approach exploits the segment protection mode, which accommodates the characteristics of both path-based and link-based protections, for providing finer service granularities, to satisfy the versatile requirements of critical applications in the foreseeable future. To show that DSSP can improve performance efficiency, simulations are conducted using four networks (NSFNET, USANET, Mesh 66, Mesh 99) for a comparative study of the proposed DSSP versus ordinary shared protection schemes and SLSP (Short Leap Shared Protection). Simulation results reveal that the proposed DSSP method results in much lower blocking probability and has higher network utilization. Consequently, it is very useful for applications to a real-time WDM network, which changes status dynamically.