Abstract: A method for broadcasting time sensitive content over an Internet protocol (IP) network for distribution in a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. The method comprises segmenting the time sensitive content into a plurality of segments; separating each segment of the plurality of segments into a plurality vectors; generating random linear combination equations respective of the plurality of vectors; interleaving equations of at least two different segments of the plurality of segments; and transmitting at least a portion of the equations over the IP network to at least one distribution node for the distribution of the time sensitive content in the P2P network, wherein the time sensitive content is recreated from the equations at least the distribution node.

Abstract: A buffer for buffing multimedia content to enable reliable streaming of multimedia content in a peer-to-peer network. The buffer comprises a first section being loaded with a first portion of the multimedia content during a first time interval, wherein the first portion of the multimedia content is retrieved from at least one resource node; and a second section being loaded with a second portion of the multimedia content during a second time interval, wherein the second portion of the multimedia content is retrieved from at least one reliable node during a second time interval, wherein the buffer continuously delivers the multimedia content including the first and second portions thereof to a consumer node.

Abstract: A method for controlling the provision of resource nodes for streaming multimedia content of a channel viewed by consumer nodes in a peer-to-peer network.

Abstract: A method for loading a buffer of a consumer node operable in a system for streaming multimedia content. The method includes dividing the buffer to sections each section being filled with multimedia data during a different time interval; loading a first section of the buffer by accessing at least one resource node of the multimedia content during a first time interval; and loading a second section of the buffer by accessing at least one reliable node of the multimedia content during a second time interval; wherein the buffer continuously delivers the multimedia content to a display of the consumer node and wherein the at least one reliable node is adapted to guarantee delivery of multimedia content to connected nodes.

Abstract: A method for determining a quota for connecting a plurality of consumer nodes to a resource node. The method comprises periodically determining the quota of consumer nodes acceptable for receiving connection requests by the resource node; receiving a connection request from a consumer node to connect to the resource node; and determining based on the quota whether to accept the connection request. In one embodiment the resource node and the consumer nodes are connected in a realtime peer-to-peer network, and the resource node is adapted to distribute multimedia content to the consumer nodes over the network.

Abstract: A method for managing the allocation of resources to channel swarms in a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. The method is based on a distributed algorithm in which resource-nodes occasionally join and leave channel-swarms. Each resource-node independently decides whether or not to stay in the channel-swarm that it has joined to. These decisions are based on values of a transience parameter set by a transience mechanism.

Abstract: A method for managing the allocation of resources to channel swarms in a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. The method is based on a distributed algorithm in which resource-nodes occasionally join and leave channel-swarms. Each resource-node independently decides whether or not to stay in the channel-swarm that it has joined to. These decisions are based on values of a transience parameter set by a transience mechanism.