P2P Networking and P2P Software

Although they have actually existed for many years, peer-to-peer computing technologies promise to radically change the future of networking.

A P2P network connects roughly equivalent machines on a roughly equal basis, without the mediation of a different machine. P2P differs from client/server networks wherein many computers—often limited in some way—connect to a single larger server that directs the communication within the network.

This definition captures the traditional meaning of peer-to-peer networking. Computers in a peer-to-peer network are typically situated physically near to each other and run similar networking protocols and software. Before home networking became popular, only small businesses and schools built peer-to-peer networks.

Most home computer networks today are peer-to-peer networks. Residential users configure their computers in peer workgroups to allow sharing of files, printers, and other resources equally among all of the devices. Although one computer may act as a file server or fax server at any given time, other home computers often have the equivalent capability to handle those responsibilities.

Both wired and wireless home networks qualify as peer-to-peer environments. A router simply joins the home network to the Internet; it does not by itself change how resources within the network are shared.

When most people hear the term P2P, they think not of peer networks, but rather a peer-to-peer file sharing over the internet. P2P file-sharing systems became the single most popular class of internet applications in the first decade of this century.

A P2P network implements search and data transfer protocols above the Internet Protocol. To access a P2P network, download and install a suitable P2P client application.

Some P2P applications work only with one P2P network, while others operate cross-network. Likewise, some P2P networks support only one application, while others support multiple applications.

A good definition of P2P software was proposed by Dave Winer of UserLand Software many years ago, when P2P was first becoming mainstream. He suggests that P2P software applications include these seven key characteristics:

• The user interface runs outside of a Web browser
• Computers in the system can act as both clients and servers
• The software is easy to use and well-integrated
• The application includes tools to support users wanting to create content or add functionality
• The application makes connections with other users
• The application does something new or exciting
• The software supports "cross-network" protocols like SOAP or XML-RPC

In this modern view of peer-to-peer computing, P2P networks stretch across the entire internet, not just a home local area network (LAN). Easy-to-use P2P software applications allow both geeks and non-technical people to participate.

The original MP3 file sharing system, Napster became the world's most popular internet software application almost overnight. Napster typified the new "modern" P2P system defined above: a simple user interface running outside of the browser supporting both file serving and downloads. Furthermore, Napster offered chat rooms to connect its millions of users and performed a new and exciting (in the sense of "controversial") service.

The name Napster referred both to the P2P network and the file sharing client that it supported. Besides being limited, in the beginning, to a single client application, Napster employed a proprietary network protocol, but these technical details did not materially affect its popularity.

When the original unregulated Napster service was shut down, several P2P systems competed for that audience. Most Napster users migrated to the Kazaa and Kazaa Lite software applications and the FastTrack network. FastTrack grew to become even larger than the original Napster network.

Kazaa has suffered from its own legal troubles, but various other systems, like eDonkey / Overnet, have continued the legacy of free P2P file-sharing software.

No one P2P application or network enjoys exclusive popularity today. Popular P2P networks include:

• eDonkey
• BitTorrent
• Gnutella

and popular P2P applications include

• eMule
• BitTorrent
• Limewire

Many businesses have been inspired by the success of P2P applications and are busily brainstorming potentially interesting new P2P software. However, some in the networking community believe that the success of Napster, Kazaa, and other P2P applications have little to do with technology and more to do with piracy. It remains to be proven whether mass-market P2P systems can translate into profitable business ventures.