Can P2P applications learn to play fair on networks?

Mon Oct 22 16:12:59 UTC 2007

On Mon, 22 Oct 2007, Bora Akyol wrote:
> I think network operators that are using boxes like the Sandvine box are
> doing this due to (2). This is because P2P traffic hits them where it hurts,
> aka the pocketbook. I am sure there are some altruistic network operators
> out there, but I would be sincerely surprised if anyone else was concerned
> about "fairness"

The problem with words is all the good ones are taken.  The word 
"Fairness" has some excess baggage, nevertheless it is the word used.

Network operators probably aren't operating from altruistic principles, 
but for most network operators when the pain isn't spread equally across 
the the customer base it represents a "fairness" issue.  If 490 customers 
are complaining about bad network performance and the cause is traced to 
what 10 customers are doing, the reaction is to hammer the nails sticking 
out.

Whose traffic is more "important?" World of Warcraft lagged or P2P 
throttled?  The network operator makes P2P a little worse and makes WoW a 
little better, and in the end do they end up somewhat "fairly" using the 
same network resources. Or do we just put two extremely vocal groups, the 
gamers and the p2ps in a locked room and let the death match decide the 
winnner?