Comcast to Invest in P2P Networking Startup

[RobRich]

Ironic decision given the company's previous background with P2P packet throttling, or smart business move to profit on the commercialization of P2P networks? Either way, Comcast is investing in GridNetworks, a startup specializing in the delivery of video using peer-to-peer networking technology.

Quote:

Seattle-based GridNetworks on Monday said that Comcast would make an unspecified investment in the company and collaborate on developing so-called peer-to-peer file-sharing techniques that are "friendly" to Internet service providers.

Source: Yahoo! News

[SiliconJon]

I had read an article a while back regarding a large network (I think it was a university) using a stripped down torrent client to distribute large amounts of monthly data distributions. It's a fantastic idea, and I'm quite surprised that P2P protocols haven't made it further given their incredible bandwidth savings capabilities, but it may have something to do with the stigma surrounding the P2P & torrent names for those who don't understand what the technology actually is, and only understand its most popular uses - kinda like the look I received from our ex-security admin when asking if she was going to the black hat conference (showing she didn't know it was a legit affair).

With large bandwidth applications, networks can save immense amounts of data throughput by leapfrogging from one system to the next rather than a dedicated data stream to each and every stinking client. That creates such a monsterous bandwidth, and for no good reason given the structure of our internet. With a company like Comcast, or Charter, or any other ISP that deals with media feeds as well, the ability to daisy chain their data can allow for that yet-to-be-seen media on demand service that has so long been discussed, but never launched in scale due to the huge bottlenecks it creates using extinct methods of data distribution.

EDiT: And yes, it is ironic!

[SiliconJon]

Though a dollar to donuts says they're still too dense to figure out a way to do it without spending far too many resources on DRM/Copy protection rather than leaving the feeds barely "secured" (just enough to keep the feeds from playing on unmodified unintended equipment) and using ad based revenue for their primary margin.