VeriSign to Power Star Trek New Voyages

A story that combines "Star Trek" and CDN technology? For a Trekkie on the data center beat like me, resistance is futile.

VeriSign (VRSN) said its hybrid Intelligent CDN, which combines peer-to-peer and traditional content caching, is supporting the launch of the latest episode of "Star Trek New Voyages" on the DragonFly online video network. As more companies examine the economics of P2P for content delivery, VeriSign is showcasing the possibilities of a hybrid service, a concept reportedly being weighed by CDN market leader Akamai and others. The Intelligent CDN integrates the Kontiki P2P delivery network purchased by VeriSign in 2006.

Another hybrid CDN incorporating P2P making news this week is Seattle's Grid Networks, which raised $9.5 million in series A funding from Panorama Capital, according to Om Malik.

Distributed peer-to-peer networks offer advantages in cost and efficiency, but many content owners are wary of file integrity and reputational issues with P2P, which has historically been linked with illegal file sharing.

New Voyages is something of a hybrid itself. New Voyages is a fan-created science fiction series set in the Star Trek universe. While not an "official" Star Trek property, it has received the support of many of the actors in the original series. George Takei (Sulu) appears in the latest episode, and the widow and son of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry have collaborated on episodes with the "New Voyages" team.