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 Peer-to-peer networks include all computers connected by the internet, known as "peers." Users can share any file over a P2P network independently. Our first step is to examine what a peer-to-peer network is and the types of peer-to-peer networks. 

What is a peer-to-peer network?

A P2P (peer-to-peer) network lets computers share files and access printers by connecting. Peer-to-peer systems were first introduced in the 1980s with the first freestanding PCs - when computers were no longer dependent on centralized systems but were utterly self-contained. 

The benefit of this was more freedom, but it was also difficult to share data or send files to print without physically transferring the files to a printer. A computer can connect to another computer through peer-to-peer networks, sharing resources such as printers.

Different Types of Peer-to-Peer Network

The following 3 types of peer-to-peer networks we'll cover:

Pure Peer to Peer Network

Pure peer-to-peer networks are also referred to as "fully peer-to-peer networks." As this P2P network has no centralized dedicated server, all peers play the same role equally.

Example – "Gnutella Protocol," which locates all the files and documents on a network.

Structured P2P Networks

Peer-to-peer structured networks are more challenging to set up than unstructured ones, giving users better access to rare content. P2P networks with a structure experience fewer churns than unstructured networks.

Hybrid Peer to Peer Network

With a hybrid peer-to-peer network, a server acts as the central point in the network by maintaining data about the peers and responding to requests. The server manages to track all resources on the web. This server takes full responsibility for all resource management.

Characteristics of Peer to Peer Network

Here we discuss some characteristics and features of peer to peer networks, such as:

• Peer-to-peer networks require both consumption and production of resources since more users mean more capacity for resource sharing through the network.

• Protecting each node within the P2P network is challenging since all nodes perform various tasks like clients and servers.

• Windows and Mac OS are among the advanced operating systems it can support.

• Scalability and stability are better with it.

• Since all nodes in the P2P network are autonomous, the network does not require a central repository to manage its content.

• Data is flowing from one side to the other.

Examples of Peer to Peer Network

The following peer to peer network examples are as follows:

• Napster 

Shawn Fanning, an American college student, introduced Napster in 1999. The program allows you to share files over the internet and store music on your computer. The service has been discontinued since 2001.

• Bit Torrent 

It's typically used to share files over the Internet and distribute data decentralized. This protocol is mainly used for transferring large files, such as video files for creating TV shows and video clips.

• Bitcoin 

Peer-to-peer payment networks are also used by Bitcoin, in which cryptographic protocols facilitate the transfer of bitcoins.

• Gnutella 

The Gnutella network allows users to send and receive all data over the internet via a peer-to-peer network.

• Kazaa 

Sharman Networks operated the Kazaa peer-to-peer file sharing application, run by Joltid LTD and enabled with the FastTrack protocol. Its primary function was to upload MP3 music files and video and text files over the internet.

Peer to peer architecture

A peer-to-peer architecture refers to a computer network without a division of responsibilities among the nodes or workstations. The same set of duties and actions apply to every section. In contrast to the classic client-server architecture, hierarchical networking techniques are the norm in a modern client-server architecture.

Peer-to-peer network topology

The peer-to-peer architecture connects each node directly to the others. Nodes on the network are called peers. Peers provide services to each other and utilize one another's services. The system has no central server. 

Final Thoughts

In this article, we discussed various types of peer-to-peer networks. Multiple computers can share resources in peer-to-peer networks, including content or devices, without relying on a server.

For smaller businesses, installing a permanent P2P network option such as copper wire connections is less expensive to install and maintain than a client/server network.