Exploring a social-aware WebRTC-based P2P architecture for live video streaming

In the present work a feasibility study of a novel peer-to-peer architecture for live video streaming is proposed. It leverages both recent web technologies for peer implementation and overlay management, and the use of online social networks as integral part of the architecture itself. The key points of the architecture are: (1) the use of WebRTC to setup and manage a P2P overlay, and to deliver audio/video streams; (2) the implementation of P2P clients as HTML5/Javascript web applications, without involving other centralized entities acting as servers, according to a nearly serverless model; (3) the use of online social networks to retrieve user information and relationships between them, in order to improve overlay and stream management, and as a place to announce their setup and broadcasting, and to increase the audience; (4) the use of social networks to implement the WebRTC signaling. In this paper, after a brief excursus of the involved technologies, the proposed architecture will be introduced, and a first prototype will be presented with the aim of demonstrating the feasibility of the project. The authors will also introduce the elements of the architecture on which future efforts for subsequent enhancements and extensions will be focused.