CarbonCloud is a peer-to-peer framework for sharing and finding map data and geographic content between individual computers. CarbonCloud is built on Microsoft peer-to-peer technologies and provides extensions for sharing, finding and transporting map data and geographic content, like digital notes and pictures about favorite places, in a P2P environment.

History

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CarbonCloud was developed in 2005 by The Carbon Project based on internal research started in 2004. The framework was first referenced on blogs in 2006. The first public demonstration of CarbonCloud was held at the Microsoft World Partner Conference in mid 2006. During this event, CarbonCloud was integrated into a P2P application called ((Echo))MyPlace. By late 2006 CarbonCloud moved beyond the demonstration phase and the first online groups using CarbonCloud to exchange favorite places had formed in the Washington, DC area.

How it works

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The CarbonCloud P2P framework is based on IPv6 and uses the P2P platform provided by Microsoft in any Windows XP and other modern Windows operating system, such as Windows Vista.

The Peer Name Resolution Protocol (PNRP) used by CarbonCloud is a server-less DNS technology that allows nodes to discover each other. This makes the system less susceptible to failures or attacks.

CarbonCloud can use any TCP/UDP supporting network connection – WiFi, Lan, Ad-Hoc Mesh and others. There is no dependency on any specific physical framework or service provider.