What are the key characteristics of a peer-to-peer network?

A peer-to-peer network is decentralised, self-organising, highly scalable and each node has equal privileges and responsibilities.

A peer-to-peer (P2P) network is a type of decentralised network architecture where each node, or 'peer', has the same capabilities and responsibilities. This is in contrast to the traditional client-server model where some computers are dedicated to serving the others. In a P2P network, all peers are both servers and clients, meaning they can both request and provide resources. This eliminates the need for a central server, making the network highly scalable and robust to failures. For more details on different network types, see Types of Networks.

One of the key characteristics of a P2P network is its self-organising nature. Peers join and leave the network at will, and the network automatically reconfigures itself to accommodate these changes. This makes P2P networks highly adaptable and resilient. If one peer fails or leaves the network, others can still operate normally. This is a significant advantage over the client-server model, where the failure of the server can bring down the entire network.

Another important feature of P2P networks is their scalability. Because each peer can act as both a client and a server, adding more peers to the network increases its capacity rather than overloading it. This makes P2P networks ideal for applications that need to handle a large amount of traffic, such as file sharing or streaming services. For more insights on how P2P compares to other models, refer to Client-Server and Peer-to-Peer.

In a P2P network, each node has equal privileges and responsibilities. This means that every peer can initiate or complete a transaction, and there is no central authority that can control or monitor the activities of the peers. This characteristic makes P2P networks inherently more secure and private than client-server networks. However, it also makes them more susceptible to misuse, as there is no central authority to enforce rules or punish misbehaviour. To explore how this decentralised approach compares to other systems, check out Centralised vs Distributed Systems.

Finally, P2P networks are typically more complex to manage than client-server networks. Because each peer is autonomous and can join or leave the network at any time, managing and coordinating the peers can be challenging. This complexity can lead to inefficiencies and vulnerabilities if not properly managed. However, with the right protocols and algorithms, P2P networks can be highly efficient and robust.

A-Level Computer Science Tutor Summary: A peer-to-peer (P2P) network is decentralised, with each node having equal roles as both a server and a client. This structure allows for scalability and resilience, as the network adjusts automatically when peers join or leave. However, P2P networks can be complex to manage and are vulnerable to misuse due to the lack of central authority.