Eur. Phys. J. B 58, 175-184 (2007)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2007-00208-2

Growing distributed networks with arbitrary degree distributions

¹ Department of Physics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
² Michigan Center for Theoretical Physics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
³ Center for the Study of Complex Systems, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

Corresponding author: ^a mejn@umich.edu

Received: 1 February 2007
Revised: 3 May 2007
Published online: 1 August 2007

Abstract

We consider distributed networks, such as peer-to-peer networks, whose structure can be manipulated by adjusting the rules by which vertices enter and leave the network. We focus in particular on degree distributions and show that, with some mild constraints, it is possible by a suitable choice of rules to arrange for the network to have any degree distribution we desire. We also describe a mechanism based on biased random walks by which appropriate rules could be implemented in practice. As an example application, we describe and simulate the construction of a peer-to-peer network optimized to minimize search times and bandwidth requirements.