Network connection system and method

Abstract

A method for networking provides a network service for a network. The network service can include the server system maintaining a database that can include information about connections between nodes. The network service can include the server system receiving a potential connection message from a first node to be delivered to a third node. The potential connection message can include a suggestion that the third node connect to a second node. The network service can include the server system delivering the potential connection message to the third node, only if the server system verifies in the database that the first node is connected with the third node and the second node. The network service can include the server system receiving feedback from the third node regarding the second node. The network service can include the server system connecting the second node to the third node, only if the feedback from the third node regarding the second node is positive.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of directly connecting a first active network node to a third passive network node, the method comprising:
 providing a server system having a potential connection message from the first active network node to the third passive network node,   wherein the connection message includes a request that the third passive network node connect to a second passive network node;   the server system determining at least one potential connection path between the first active network node and the second passive network node, the at least one potential connection path including two or more intermediate nodes;   the server system communicating the at least one potential connection path to the first active network node; and   the server system receiving a request from the first active network node that one of the two or more intermediate nodes send a potential connection message to another of the two or more intermediate nodes,   wherein the potential connection message includes a suggestion that the another of the two or more intermediate nodes connect to the first active network node, and wherein the another of the two or more intermediate nodes is connected to the second passive network node.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to claim  25 , further comprising the server system determining at least one potential connection path includes consideration of at least one of network statistics and strengths of connections between nodes. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to claim  25 , further comprising:
 the server system receiving feedback from at least one node; and   the server system storing the feedback in the database.   
     
     
         4 . A method according to claim  26 , further comprising:
 the server system calculating at least one strength of at least one connection between nodes of the network based at least in part upon the feedback; and   the server system storing the at least one strength as part of the information about connections between nodes of the database.