Yahoo recently acquired PeerCDN for an undisclosed amount. PeerCDN is a next generation peer-to-peer (P2P) CDN that runs entirely in javascript. According to their website, their software can reduce bandwidth cost by 90%.
The statement above raises two interesting questions. First, is P2P really a CDN? When I think of CDN, the first thing that comes to mind is Akamai, EdgeCast, Fastly, Limelight, Highwinds, caching software on dedicated servers, streaming, and global infrastructure. When I think of P2P, I think of PirateBay, Napster, World of Warcraft, and a virus. Thus, P2P enables file sharing between end user computers. It uses none of the infrastructure, software, or tools of a CDN.
The next question, what does javascript have to do with bandwidth cost reduction? Can javascript reduce my bandwidth bill at home or work at the tune of 90%? I doubt it. The only two companies that can reduce my bandwidth bill are AT&T and Verizon. Regardless, Feross, Abi & John from PeerCDN are smiling all the way to the bank.