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Also known as: peer-to-peer
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
P2P, type of computer network often used for the distribution of digital media files.
In a peer-to-peer (P2P) network, each computer acts as both a server and a client—supplying and receiving files—with bandwidth and processing distributed among all members of the network. Such a decentralized network uses resources more efficiently than a traditional network and is less vulnerable to systemic failure. P2P networks are used by Bluetooth-powered electronics and Internet-based communication services, but development has largely been driven by online file sharing.
More From Britannica
piracy: MP3 and P2P networks
P2P file sharing was introduced to the general public in 1999 when American college student Shawn Fanning created the music-sharing service Napster. It employed a centralized index server, which users would search on the basis of song title or artist name. If the index located the song on the hard drive of any other computer that was currently connected to the network, a user could download a personal copy while simultaneously offering his or her own computer-supplied files in response to other users’ searches. The service quickly became a hub for large-scale unauthorized distribution of copyrighted music, and in 2001 it was shut down as a result of a lawsuit from members of the American recording industry.
A new generation of P2P services arose to fill the void, expanding the range of sharable file types and further decentralizing networks. The cryptocurrency Bitcoin is a decentralized network with the ledger file of transactions existing at each node of the network. The Gnutella protocol operates without any centralized server and allows for numerous software clients to be used for access, which makes it nearly impossible to shut down. BitTorrent, used commonly for distributing large video files, employs a “swarm” model, whereby files are downloaded in simultaneous pieces from multiple host computers. Newer services have established degrees of encryption and anonymity to protect users from legal action by copyright holders.
FAQs
A peer-to-peer (P2P) service is a decentralized platform whereby two individuals interact directly with each other, without intermediation by a third party. Instead, the buyer and the seller transact directly with each other via the P2P service.
What is an example of a P2P system? ›
Examples of mainstream P2P software programs include BitTorrent, Limewire, Ares and AresWarez, Kazaa, Azureus, DC++ and Morpheus.
What are examples of P2P protocols? ›
BitComet, Bitlord, BitTorrent, Flashget, FrostWire, Getright, i2psnark, libtorrent, μTorrent, Miro, MLDonkey, Popcorn Time, qBittorrent, Shareaza, Tixati, Transmission, Tribler, Xunlei, Vuze, etc.
What are examples of P2P sharing? ›
BearShare, LimeWire, KaZaa, eMule, Vuze, uTorrent and BitTorrent are examples of P2P file shar- ing programs. When P2P file sharing software is not configured properly, files not intended for sharing may be accessible to anyone on the P2P network.
What is an example of a P2P server? ›
P2P implementation relies on centralized data to establish a connection to other computers, without the use of a central server for the connection. Example: BitTorrent is an example of a P2P relationship.
What is an example of a P2P transaction? ›
P2P systems facilitate money transfers between people typically through a website or mobile app. Popular digital apps, such as PayPal, Venmo and Zelle for example, aim to make the life of users easier by allowing them to send or receive money to and from another person's bank account without an intermediator.
What is the most used P2P? ›
Here are seven of our recommended peer-to-peer payment apps:
- Zelle. To use Zelle, users need to create and set up an account first. ...
- PayPal. One of the most popular P2P services in the world, PayPal is ideal for personal money transfers and online payments. ...
- Venmo. ...
- Cash App by Square. ...
- Apple Pay. ...
- Samsung Pay. ...
- WorldRemit.
Famous examples include Airbnb, Turo, and Vrbo. These platforms help consumers find each other, trust one another, and make secure payments. Opportunities for these kinds of marketplaces are everywhere. For example, Sharetribe customers have built sites for swimming pools, cars, sporting equipment, and much more.
What are the three types of P2P networks? ›
P2P networks originated in the 1980s, gained popularity through Napster, help in file sharing without a central server, three types are structured, unstructured, and hybrid, offer advantages like cost-effectiveness, privacy, and scalability, drawbacks include management challenges, need for computational power, and ...
Are P2P networks still used? ›
P2P is not dying, it is only very rarely used for applications as it is much easier to develop a centralized system. In addition, it is much easier for the developer to maintain a centralized system.
For instance, applications such as Skype and WhatsApp use P2P communication to enable users to chat and make voice and video calls directly with each other. Messages and media files are exchanged between users without needing a central server.
What is the most popular peer to peer file sharing? ›
What is BitTorrent? Bittorrent is the most common form of peer-to-peer files sharing protocol.
What is an example of a P2P electronic payment tool? ›
Google Pay and Apple Pay: These tech giants have also ventured into the P2P payments space, allowing users to send money to each other via their mobile devices.
What is an example of a P2P service? ›
P2P payment services help facilitate the transfer of funds between people. Examples of P2P payment service providers include Venmo, CashApp, Zelle, and PayPal, among many others.
What is an example of a peer 2 peer? ›
Some examples of P2P architectures include BitTorrent (file sharing), Tor (anonymous internet browsing), and Bitcoin (a decentralized transaction ledger).
What is an example of a P2P application? ›
Applications of Peer-to-Peer Network
Here are some specific applications of Peer-to-Peer networks: File sharing: Peer-to-Peer networks are often used to share files between computers, such as music, movies, and software. Examples of file-sharing P2P networks include BitTorrent and Gnutella.
What is an example of a P2P business? ›
Famous examples include Airbnb, Turo, and Vrbo. These platforms help consumers find each other, trust one another, and make secure payments. Opportunities for these kinds of marketplaces are everywhere. For example, Sharetribe customers have built sites for swimming pools, cars, sporting equipment, and much more.
What is P2P messaging example? ›
For example, when you send a text message from your phone to another person's phone, that's P2P. Under some circ*mstances, this may also include traffic that goes through an API to connect two people, however some countries (including the US and Canada) do not consider any application-mediated traffic to be P2P.
