Efficient Search and Approximate Information Filtering in a Distributed Peer-to-Peer Environment of Digital Libraries

Abstract. We present a new architecture for efficient search and approximate information filtering in a distributed Peer-to-Peer (P2P) environment of Digital Libraries. The MinervaLight search system uses P2P techniques over a structured overlay network to distribute and maintain a directory of peer statistics. Based on the same directory, the MAPS information filtering system provides an approximate publish/subscribe functionality by monitoring the most promising digital libraries for publishing appropriate documents regarding a continuous query. In this paper, we discuss our system architecture that combines searching and information filtering abilities. We show the system components of MinervaLight and explain the different facets of an approximate pub/sub system for subscriptions that is high scalable, efficient, and notifies the subscribers about the most interesting publications in the P2P network of digital libraries. We also compare both approaches in terms of common properties and differences to show an overview of search and pub/sub using the same infrastructure.