System and method for anonymous addressing of content on network peers and for prvate peer-to-peer file sharing

Abstract

A system and method for efficient and private peer-to-peer file sharing consists of ascribing a uniquely identified and anonymous link (an “edgelink”) to any file or set of files on a peer computer. The link is registered with a publishing server along with continuously updated connectivity information about the peer without registering any identifying information about the file. A peer recipient is able to access the link, receive connectivity information about the publishing peer from the server, and then receive the file from the publishing peer without file content passing through the server, mediating any intermediary NAT devices without requiring any manual or automatic device reconfiguration.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system for peer-to-peer file sharing comprising a publishing server having a computer processor, the publishing server operable to:
 (a) register a unique link generated for at least one selected file on a peer computer;   (b) obtain periodic connectivity information for the peer computer; and   (c) enable a peer recipient to access the link, the accessing initiating:
 (i) establishment of a network path between the peer recipient and the peer computer utilizing the connectivity information to enable the peer recipient to obtain the at least one selected file without the at least one selected file being required to pass through the publishing server; and 
 (ii) mediation of intermediary NAT devices without requiring any manual or automatic NAT device reconfiguration.