METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LOCALIZATION IN PEER-TO-PEER SYSTEMS

A multi-layer peer-to-peer (P2P) capability is provided. A multi-layer P2P system includes a plurality of P2P networks associated with a plurality of hierarchical layers. For example, a first hierarchical layer may include a first P2P network including all peer nodes of the P2P system, and a second hierarchical layer may include a plurality of second P2P networks where the second P2P networks of the second hierarchical layer include respective subsets of the peer nodes of the first P2P network. The second P2P networks of the second hierarchical layer may be organized based on one or more characteristics (e.g., the geographic locations of the peer nodes, the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) with which the peer nodes are associated, and the like). A node participating in the P2P system joins the first P2P network of the P2P system and one of the second P2P networks of the P2P system. The node may then interact with the first P2P network and/or the second P2P network for performing various functions within the P2P system.