P2P is emerging as a major paradigm for developing networked applications. However, the wide spread of P2P applications also exposes a fundamental issue in current network management and control. In particular, the P4P project argues that there is a fundamental issue in traditional network management and control: emerging applications can have tremendous flexibility in how the data is communicated, and thus, they should be an integral part of network management and control. However, if end hosts are to participate in network resource optimizations, then the networks cannot continue to be opaque but need to export their status and policy information. As a result, P4P, which stands for provider portal for P2P, allows explicit communications between network providers and applications.
- A DCIA working group, P4P-WG, was formed in July 2007 to conduct large-scale pilot studies on P4P.