Peer-to-peer network search popularity statistical information collection

摘要

A server and method for a peer-to-peer network search popularity statistical information collection service for clients is provided. A dedicated server on a network is arranged to receive data from supplying client nodes about search requests posted, received or fulfilled. The data is then aggregated to obtain popularity information which is then offered to requesting clients who may have subscripted to the service. The suppling client nodes might cache the search requests and periodically send the data to the server. Also the data may be transferred as a XML document in which the server can aggregate metadata to create lists according to the metadata. The metadata might be Dublin Core metadata.