Peer-to-peer or usually said as P2P, is a communications model in which each party has the same capabilities and either party can initiate a communication session. Other models with which it might be contrasted include the client/server model and the master/slave model.
In some cases, peer-to-peer communications is implemented by giving each communication node both server and client capabilities. In recent usage, peer-to-peer has come to describe applications in which users can use the internet to exchange files with each other directly or through a mediating server.
Peers make a portion of their resources, such as processing power, disk storage or network bandwidth, directly available to other network participants, without the need for central coordination by servers or stable hosts. Peers are both suppliers and consumers of resources, in contrast to the traditional client–server model where only servers supply (send), and clients consume (receive).
The peer-to-peer application structure was popularized by file sharing systems like Napster. The concept has inspired new structures and philosophies in many areas of human interaction. Peer-to-peer networking is not restricted to technology, but covers also social processes with a peer-to-peer dynamic. In such context, social peer-to-peer processes are currently emerging throughout society.
P2P to Connect
The user must first download and execute a peer-to-peer networking program. After launching the program, the user enters the IP address of another computer belonging to the network. (Typically, the web page where the user got the download will list several IP addresses as places to begin). Once the computer finds another network member on-line, it will connect to that user's connection (who has gotten their IP address from another user's connection and so on).
Users can choose how many member connections to seek at one time and determine which files they wish to share or password protect.
Advantage and Disadvantage
Advantages of a peer-to-peer network:
- Lower cost (the costs involved in such a network are hardware, cabling and maintenance).
- Foolproof simplicity.
- Easy to set up.
- More reliable as central dependency is eliminated.
Disadvantages of a peer-to-peer network:
- The system is not centralised, making administration difficult.
- Lack of security.
- No computer in the network is reliable.
- Data recovery or backup is very difficult
Therefore, peer-to-peer networks are only useful for a small number of computers, and only suitable for applications that do not require a high level of security. It is not advisable in a business network containing sensitive data to use this type of architecture.