Theoretical Foundations of Collaborative Information Storage and Transmission

摘要协作信息存储和传输的理论基础这项研究探讨了在下一代大规模异构系统中实现分布式信息存储和通信的理论基础。这项调查背后的一个关键主题是系统节点之间为实现这一点而进行的大规模合作，而不是仅仅通过在问题上投入基础设施来扩展网络。根本的挑战是采用一种分布式系统方法，这种方法可以依靠数字的力量或系统本身的规模来构建可扩展、健壮且能够满足性能保证的整体网络。这项研究的应用范围很广，包括下一代远程学习，以及基于点对点协作的多节点视频会议，这种会议有可能接触到大众，而不是局限于那些有权访问昂贵的集中基础设施的人。这项研究的基础是发展实现大规模可扩展、内在健壮和可量化可靠的信息存储和传输系统所需的理论基础和体系结构和算法。这项研究的重点是分布式存储和协作媒体交付范例，既有延迟限制也有无延迟限制。认识到集中知识和全局协调造成的瓶颈，本研究采用了一种分布式方法，涉及局部和随机的个人行为，导致了高度动态的系统拓扑。关键的挑战是利用系统本身的规模，从这些局部相互作用中保证可靠性和全球性能保证。本文的研究重点是基于网络编码的分布式存储系统。

AbstractTheoretical Foundations of Collaborative Information Storage and TransmissionThis research addresses the theoretical foundations for enabling distributed information storage and communication in next-generation large-scale heterogeneous systems. A key theme underlying this investigation is that of massive collaboration among system nodes in accomplishing this, in contrast to scaling the network by solely throwing infrastructure at the problem. The fundamental challenge is to embrace a distributed systems approach that can rely on the strength of numbers or the system scale itself to build an overall network that is scalable, robust, and capable of meeting performance guarantees. The application scope of this research is broad, and includes next-generation distance learning, and multi-node video conferencing based on peer-to-peer collaboration that has the potential to reach the masses rather than being confined to those privileged to have access to expensive centralized infrastructure. The basis for this investigation is the development of both the theoretical foundations and the architectures and algorithms needed to realize a massively scalable, inherently robust, and quantifiably reliable information storage and transmission systems. A focal point of the study is that of distributed storage and collaborative media delivery paradigms, both with and without delay constraints. In recognition of the bottleneck caused by centralized knowledge and global coordination, this study embraces a distributed approach involving local and randomized individual behavior that result in a highly dynamic system topology. The key challenge is to exploit the scale of the system itself in guaranteeing reliability and global performance guarantees out of these local interactions. The focal point of this study will be on distributed storage systems based on network coding.