Optimized file sharing application within local network

Abstract

File sharing is the practice of distributing or providing access to digitally stored information, such as computer programs, multimedia (audio, images and video), documents or electronic books. It may be implemented through a variety of ways. Either by using client server or by peer to peer methodology file sharing is conducted. Nowadays sharing files is a major part of the network usage. Files are being shared between multiple of users and thus creating a load on the network. Thus optimizing file sharing is important for the network to be efficient. The objective of this thesis was to study different file sharing algorithms and chose one that would create an optimized file sharing solution for a local area network using peer to peer method. Among different optimizing algorithms Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) was chosen and compared other available algorithms. Based on that, we have tried to develop a file sharing application within a local area network using the concept of peer to peer file sharing methodology named FAaNS. Thus this research gives an overview of the ACO algorithm, reasons behind choosing ACO and then finally the development of the file sharing application which will detect the nodes that have the files for sharing and will share the files optimally between nodes.