Intelligent software delivery using P2P

Internet has given software providers possibilities for electronic software distribution (ESD). At the same time bandwidth limitations lead to poor performance and scalability of the delivery process. The problem is even harder when delivering large, resource consuming software packages and media content. We propose an agent-based architectural model as a middleware for intelligent P2P electronic software delivery. We analyze the possibility of applying the peer-to-peer technology to the process of software delivery, relying on the experience and learned lessons of the related technologies. To this effect we analyze the available material on this topic and identify the important criteria that are crucial for the wide acceptance of ESD by both software providers and end-users. We argue that the proposed model can be used in building a system that meets most, if not all, of the identified criteria. The work presented opens a number of interesting research issues and investigation opportunities.