Towards optimal neighbour selection mechanisms in peer-to-peer networks

The rapid adoption of user-friendly Peer-to-Peer networks, offering equal power distribution in decentralized systems, has led to diverse network services, from file sharing to real-time conferencing. Satisfaction among peers using these services relies on resource allocation measured by utility functions. The central role of neighbor selection in shaping P2P streaming's overlay topologies, optimizing service quality through identifying peers with strong network conditions, is highlighted. Despite its importance, the lack of a comprehensive exploration prompted our systematic review. We classify contemporary practices into structured, unstructured, and super-peer models, unveiling their strengths and limitations, and identifying challenges in neighbor selection techniques. This study informs refined methodologies for more effective P2P network design, benefiting researchers and practitioners alike.