Could a Distributed Hash Table be used for a two-way web app with a pub/sub type application?
I'm investigating building a forum type application but with a DHT architecture and P2P (although a central lookup server would be OK to improve performance). Think of a Gnutella/Kazaa type application on the client side but, rather than hitting a central server, messages would be posted to topics which are distributed across other clients on the internet. Yes, I know this seems a little bizarre, but I have my reasons... :) Eventual consistency (like within 5 minutes) is OK.
I've been combing the web looking at DHT stuff bit most seems theoretical and I'm not sure if DHT's are really practical. It would also need to update a topic or at least mark a 'dirty bit'.
Any thoughts from the gurus on the site? Also, any recommendations on the most mature DHT framework to try?
Cheers, Alex