Question

What is a peer-to-peer network?

Hint:

In a Peer-to-Peer network, each device can act as both a client and a server, making it ideal for decentralized file sharing, like in applications such as BitTorrent, where users share parts of files to download them more efficiently.

Answer 1

A Peer-to-Peer (P2P) network is a decentralized network where each computer or device (also called a "peer") has equal privileges and can act both as a server and a client. In a P2P network, there is no central server; instead, each peer shares resources such as files, printers, and internet access directly with other peers.
Key Features of a Peer-to-Peer Network:
- Decentralization: No central server or management system; each peer manages its own resources.
- Resource Sharing: Peers can share data, files, printers, and other resources with one another.
- Scalability: As more devices join the network, the capacity to share resources increases.
- Reliability: The failure of one peer does not affect the functioning of others, as the network is distributed.
Example:
In a file-sharing P2P network like BitTorrent, each user shares parts of the files they are downloading with others, creating a decentralized exchange of data.