Casual Resource Sharing with Shared Virtual Folders

Abstract

Proliferation of wireless networks has been a major trigger behind increased mobility of computing devices. Along with increased mobility come requests for ad-hoc exchange of resources between computing devices as an extension of humans interacting. We termed it casual resource sharing where resources in this thesis have been narrowed down to files only.

We have named our casual resource sharing model for shared virtual folders (SVF). SVFs can be looked upon as a common repository much in the same way as the tuplespace model. The SVF members perceive the repository similarly to a common file directory on a server, while in reality all participating devices stores their own contribution of files. All types of files could be added to the repository and shared. To become a SVF member one needs to be invited by another member or initiate a SVF oneself. All members are free to withdraw their SVF membership whenever they wish. They are also free to log on to the SVF and log out as they please. The SVF cease to exist when the last member has drawn his membership. The SVF implements a simple versioning detection system to alert members when a file has been modified by another member.

Feasibility of the model is demonstrated in a prototype implementation based on Java and the JXTA middleware, a peer-to-peer (P2P) infrastructure middleware supporting the Internet protocol. The implementation functions with any underlying network supporting the IP protocol, both LAN or WAN. The interacting devices could be running on any operating system. The SVF itself is created with focus on simplicity and requires no more than software installation before use.

The model and implementation is discussed and contrasted with other existing approaches to casual resource sharing.