Simple nonautonomous peering network media

Abstract

A method of playing content across a network includes receiving, at a media player, an input from a user selecting media located on a network, sending a request across a network comprised of devices employing a common security protocol, the request to identify peer devices on the network, receiving a response across the network from a peer device, and accessing the media from a content memory of the peer device. A method of tracking valid peers on a secure media network, includes receiving, at a media player, an input from a user selecting media located on a peer device on the network, performing an authentication test of the peer player, determining if a latency associated with the peer player meets a criteria, and updating a latency log on the media player to include the peer player. A device has a content memory to store media content for playback, a network port arranged to allow the device to access a network, and a controller programmed to send a request through the network port to a network, the request being for a particular media content file, communicate with a peer device across the network to authenticate a communication session with the peer device, receive a response from the peer device indicating that the session has been authenticated, and access the media content file on a content memory on the peer device.