P2P - Peer-to-peer

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Peer-to-peer (abbreviated to P2P) refers to a computer network in which each computer in the network can act as a client or server for the other computers in the network, allowing shared access to files and peripherals without the need for a central server. P2P networks can be set up in the home, a business or over the Internet. Each network type requires all computers in the network to use the same or a compatible program to connect to each other and access files and other resources found on the other computer. P2P networks can be used for sharing content such as audio, video, data or anything in digital format.

P2P is a distributed application architecture that partitions tasks or workloads among peers. Peers are equally privileged participants in the application. Each computer in the network is referred to a node. The owner of each computer on a P2P network would set aside a portion of its resources - such as processing power, disk storage or network bandwidth -to be made directly available to other network participant, without the need for central coordination by servers or stable hosts. With this model, 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 first peer-to-peer application was the file sharing system Napster, originally released in 1999. The concept has inspired new structures and philosophies in many areas of human interaction. Peer-to-peer networking is not restricted to technology; it also covers social processes with a peer-to-peer dynamic. In such context, social peer-to-peer processes are currently emerging throughout society.

Source: Wikipedia
 
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