Simulating a P2P File-Sharing Network

Assessing the performance of peer-to-peer algorithms such as topol- ogy construction protocols, reputation algorithms or search algorithms is impos- sible without simulations since testing new algorithms by deploying them in an existing P2P network is prohibitively expensive. However, some P2P algorithms are sensitive to the network and traffic models that are used in the simulations. In order to produce realistic results, we therefore require simulations that resemble real-world P2P networks as closely as possible. In this paper, we describe the Query-Cycle Simulator, a simulator for P2P file-sharing networks. We link the Query-Cycle Simulator to measurements on existing P2P networks and discuss open issues in simulating these networks. We believe it is of major importance to understand interactions and activities in a variety of P2P networks, this work should serve as a first attempt to do so.