What is a Peer to Peer Network?
A peer-to-peer network, commonly called P2P, is a type of network operating system that allows communication between computers through a direct connection. Unlike the client-server network, which relies on dedicated servers, a P2P network enables users to share files and other resources from their computers with other users. In a peer-to-peer network, these users are able to use the same resources on the network as they all have equal abilities and capabilities, functioning as both "clients" and "servers" to the other nodes (or “peers”) on the network.
The use of P2P networks is rapidly growing among both home and professional Internet users all over the world. P2P networking itself is not a new concept, but P2P file sharing networks have proliferated considerably over recent years. Much controversy now surrounds its popular use, on issues concerning the legal and ethical aspects of file sharing (particularly the unregulated exchange of copy-righted content).
It still remains to be seen how these trends will affect the future of P2P. In the meantime, corporations are studying the possibilities of applying P2P technology to replace the expensive centralized servers that their employees currently depend on for exchanging information and sharing files.
Features of a P2P Network
- Nodes can independently initiate or complete any supported transaction with any other node connected to the network.
- Peer nodes are not required to have similar local configurations and may be set-up differently from each other (e.g. bandwidth size, storage capacity and processing speed).
- There is no central file server. Information is exchanged directly between users or through a mid-level server.
What is a Network Operating System?
A Networking Operating System (NOS) is designed to manage the simultaneous workload of multiple computers connected to a network. Single-user operating systems (e.g. DOS, older versions of Windows), in comparison, are designed for computers that are not permanently connected to any outside network, and are controlled by one user at a time.
Network operating systems are based on either Peer-to-Peer or Client/Server models.