MioStream: a peer-to-peer distributed live media streaming on the edge

The typical centralized cloud model is poorly suited to latency-sensitive applications requiring low-latency and high-throughput. This paper proposes an integrity-preserving serverless framework for live-video streaming that runs on the edge of the network. We present the design, implementation, and evaluation of a novel P2P service based on WebRTC (web browsers with Real-Time Communications) called MioStream. MioStream is an open-source alternative for distributed media streaming that runs on the edge of the network without incurring in costly and extensive CDN infrastructure. We contribute a unique mix of algorithms using WebRTC data channels. For instance, under network degradation and high-churn environments, MioStream restructures the topology dynamically. MioStream provides authentication, privacy, and integrity of video chunks. This paper exposes a set of micro-benchmarks to measure the quality of service under network degradation and high churn environment (inducing failures). The Mesh topology offers the highest goodput per peer; the stalled playback on a node equals 1.8% of the total video play. Our results show the feasibility of this proof of concept under high-churn environments. The total stream interruptions in the topology are not longer than one second under a binomial distributed series of failures. The integrity check applied to each package includes a considerable overhead and impact the quality of service.