Charging Service Compositions in a Service-Oriented Peer-to-Peer Network

Abstract

Today, peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, e.g., filesharing networks like Gnutella, are specialised towards specific purposes. This shortcoming is addressed by introducing a new middleware for P2P networks. The middleware supports the deployment and use of services inside a P2P network. The middleware can be adapted through plug-ins. It includes service negotiation mechanisms which support the creation of legally enforceable service level agreements (SLAs) by using strong identities. This allows to reliably compose services into new value-added services. The business model of service composers has been investigated. The question of how to charge for such service compositions is addressed by introducing an event-based charging model. The events are to be applied in a service consumer's utility function as well as service composers' and service providers' tariff functions. Finally, the relation of these functions determines the profits of a service composer.