Peer-to-peer (P2P) systems have recently evolved into complex, self-organizing entities that provide a scalable, efficient, and decentralized platform for many Internet applications. To support and continue expanding this important field, this project develops fundamental analytical and experimental understanding of P2P networks under user churn, which is a term describing dynamic behavior of P2P systems in which arrivals and departures are not synchronized. This work builds upon a synergy of three components - analytical modeling of churn, resilience, and routing performance of heterogeneous P2P networks; experimental sampling of churn and verification of obtained results in real networks; and integration of P2P research into graduate and undergraduate student education at Texas A&M University. The expected impact of the project is the delivery of a deeper understanding of emerging P2P networks and unveiling of novel theoretical, experimental, and educational aspects of these systems to a broad range of audiences.
