Peering definitely needs the credibility that a commodity-trusted system can deliver. The acceptance of peer technologies in the corporate world hinges on reputation and trust. We already have the beginnings of this with the digital certificate, which can be used to prove a person's identity. Of course, like DNS servers, a reputation server will present a target for those wishing to attack a business or individual. I'm going to suggest that you read Bruce Sterling's Distractions for a chilling portrait of what America would look like in a future when intellectual property long ago ceased to have value and when your life might depend on what a reputation server said about you.
People like to take candy from strangers, it seems, and they deserve the consequences of doing so.
P.J. Connolly covers networking, security, and server technologies for the InfoWorld Test Center. Click to Download. Harness the power of your network. TRY SuperScout Web Filter FREE . Efficiency Through Web-Enabled Business Apps.