Self-Extending Peer Data Management

Peer data management systems (PDMS) are the natural extension of integrated information systems. Conventionally, a single integrating system manages an integrated schema, distributes queries to appropriate sources, and integrates incoming data to a common result. In contrast, a PDMS consists of a set of peers, each of which can play the role of an integrating component. A peer knows about its neighboring peers by mappings, which help to translate queries and transform data. Queries submitted to one peer are answered by data residing at that peer and by data that is reached along paths of mappings through the network of peers