Game-Theoretic Approaches in Cloud and P2P Networks: Issues and Challenges

Abstract

Game theory constitutes a mathematical method for rational decision making in competitive and conflicting situations under specified rules, and thus is closely associated with decision theory. The applicability and usefulness of game theory has been already proved in the research area of peer-to-peer (P2P) networks and network optimization in general. P2P networks consist of autonomous nodes that not only collaborate for sharing and consuming resources, but also act independently and are governed by selfish motives. Thus, game-theoretic solutions lend themselves well for problems arising in P2P networks. Also, game-theoretic approaches have recently been employed in order to exploit the benefits of cloud infrastructures. The proposed work surveys the recent developments on game-theoretic approaches in P2P networks and cloud systems, and provides a classification of approaches dealing with a variety of problems encountered in the design and deployment of P2P and cloud systems.