TC: Small: Trustworthy Distribution and Retrieval Network

University Of California-Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara CA

Investigators

Abstract

This research addresses the trustworthy distribution and retrieval of information across the Internet. Specifically, it concerns the distribution of metadata and requests, the matching of requests and metadata, and the retrieval of information corresponding to the metadata. In the Internet today, this functionality is provided by centralized search engines and search indexes. However, such centralized mechanisms can be easily subverted to prevent the distribution and retrieval of information. The iTrust distribution and retrieval network aims to ensure that individuals cannot be prevented from distributing or retrieving ideas and information across the Internet. In iTrust, source nodes produce metadata that describes their information, and distribute that metadata to nodes chosen at random. Similarly, requesting nodes distribute their requests to nodes chosen at random. Nodes compare the requests with the metadata they hold. If a node finds a match, it returns the URL of the associated information to the requesting node, which then retrieves the information from the source node. The iTrust distribution and retrieval network is the first to provide an effective fully distributed Internet search that is difficult to subvert. This project will develop infrastructure software for iTrust and a user interface that is convenient and easy-to-use. The technology and source code for iTrust will be freely available on a public Web site. The expected impact and significance of iTrust are that, even if the conventional centralized Internet search mechanisms are subverted, an alternative will exist to protect the free flow of information across the Internet.