Types of peer to peer network

Last Updated on January 13, 2023 by Shahzad Arsi

Do you know what are the Types of peer-to-peer networks?

Basically, there are three different types of peer to peer network.

1. Unstructured P2P networks
2. Structured P2P networks
3. Hybrid P2P networks

Multiple clients will connect with a centralized server in a client-server design, which is the most prevalent type of architecture. A peer-to-peer architecture, often known as P2P, is comprised of a decentralized network of peers, which are nodes that may perform the functions of both clients and servers.

P2P networks are decentralized in that they do not require a central server. Instead, the burden is distributed among the peers, and each peer both contributes to and consumes resources from the network.

What is a peer-to-peer network?

Peer-to-peer networks allow two or more computers to share files with each other. This is different from using a centralized server, where the computer company owns the server and can control what people can and cannot do with it. With a peer-to-peer network, each computer has its own copy of the files.

A peer-to-peer network is a computer network in which each participating computer is directly connected to the other. This type of network allows for more efficient use of bandwidth and storage space, as well as sharing of files.

How Does the Peer-to-Peer Network Operate?

A peer-to-peer network does not use centralized servers for user authentication like other types of networks do. Because each computer is responsible for its own security, a user who wishes to access more than one computer could be needed to create a new user account on each of those computers.

Users store files on their own computers the majority of the time, and it is their responsibility to ensure that those files are adequately backed up.

Additionally, the client and server software are often both executed on the same machine in a peer-to-peer network. It is possible to utilize it to either get access to shared network resources or to make them available to other users.

Peer-to-peer networks present a number of unique security challenges. Due to the fact that access to data and resources is maintained on each machine, each computer on this form has the ability to grant or revoke access to other machines.

For instance, users can share a folder on their computer that contains information about payroll, which enables other users to view the data that are contained in the shared folder.

Users are able to control who has access to the data and resources on their own computers, which means that network management is not managed by a single person.

Therefore, peer-to-peer networks are frequently utilized in small deployments and circumstances where there isn’t a significant worry regarding the level of network security. Examples of this include home networks and small enterprises.

Applications of peer-to-peer architecture

P2P architecture functions most effectively when there are a large number of active peers inside an active network. This ensures that new peers who join the network are able to quickly locate and connect with other peers. If a significant number of peers quit the network, there are still enough peers present to make up the difference.

If there are only a few peers, there will be a smaller pool of resources available to everyone. In software that allows users to exchange files with one another, known as peer-to-peer (P2P), a file’s popularity determines how quickly it may be downloaded.

The most efficient method for completing work via P2P is to break the job down into a number of smaller parts that can be pieced back together at a later time. Because of this, a large number of peers will work simultaneously on the same assignment, which will result in less work for each individual peer.

In peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing, a file can be split up into chunks so that a peer can download many portions of the file at the same time from multiple other peers.

Some uses of P2P architecture:

• File sharing
• Instant messaging
• Voice Communication
• Collaboration
• High-Performance Computing

Some examples of P2P architecture:

• Napster: Because they utilized a centralized tracking system, it was discontinued in the year 2001.
• BitTorrent: It is a popular protocol for file-sharing that is typically connected with illegal file-sharing activities.
• Skype: Following Microsoft’s acquisition of the company, it has transitioned from utilizing a proprietary hybrid P2P protocol to the client-server paradigm.
• Bitcoin: It is a peer-to-peer cryptocurrency that operates independently from any one monetary authority.

Types of peer to peer network

There are three distinct P2P network types.

• Unstructured P2P networks
• Structured P2P networks
• Hybrid P2P networks

Unstructured P2P networks

Unstructured peer-to-peer networks do not have any specific order to the way their nodes are grouped. This suggests that the nature of communication between nodes is one of randomness. As a direct consequence of this, unstructured peer-to-peer networks are ideally suited for highly active pursuits.

For instance, users have the ability to select whether or not they choose to remain connected to the network on a regular basis; hence, a social platform that is powered by P2P may benefit from this feature.

Unstructured peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, on the other hand, have the drawback of requiring a substantial amount of central processing unit (CPU) and memory in order to operate correctly.

It is imperative that the hardware be capable of supporting the greatest amount of network transactions at any given time. This will ensure that all nodes are able to interact with one another at any given moment.

Structured P2P networks

Unstructured peer-to-peer networks are the polar opposite of their structured counterparts, which are referred to as structured peer-to-peer networks. In this instance, there is a mechanism for the nodes to communicate with one another.

This is feasible as a result of a well-organized architecture that enables users to locate and work with files in a more efficient manner as opposed to looking for them in a random fashion. In the many forms of structured P2P networks, hash functions are utilized for the purpose of doing database lookups.

Peer-to-peer networks that are structured are, without a doubt, more effective. They make use of structured architecture, which results in some degree of centralization in their operations.

It also means that the costs of maintaining and establishing them would be higher. In conclusion, it is more reliable than a P2P network that is not organized.

Hybrid P2P networks

Hybrid peer-to-peer networks combine the client-server concept with the peer-to-peer architecture of traditional P2P networks. This is useful for networks that require a centralized server that also has peer-to-peer capabilities.

Hybrid peer-to-peer networks are more efficient than both structured and unstructured peer-to-peer networks. A more strategic approach, greater performance, and a host of additional advantages are also primary benefits.

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Advantages of Peer-to-Peer Networks

There are a lot of benefits associated with P2P networks. Because there is no need to maintain and pay for a centralized server with this type of network, for instance, the associated costs may be reduced (apart from monitoring servers).

As a consequence of this, there is no requirement for a network operating system, which results in an additional reduction in expenses.

A further benefit is that there is not a single point of failure, unless the network is extremely small, which is an extremely unlikely scenario. P2P networks are unaffected by changes in their peers; even if one of the peers leaves the network, it will continue to function normally.

1. Cost-Effective:

Since the resources are shared, the cost of setting up and maintaining a peer-to-peer network is much lower than that of a client-server network.

2. Ease of Use:

Peer-to-peer networks are easy to set up and maintain, and users can share files and resources without the need for a server or administrator.

3. Flexibility:

Peer-to-peer networks are highly flexible and can be set up to accommodate the needs of different types of users and businesses.

4. Security:

The decentralized nature of peer-to-peer networks makes them more secure than client-server networks, as there is no single point of failure.

5. Faster Performance:

Peer-to-peer networks can provide faster performance than traditional client-server networks due to the direct connections between users and the distributed nature of the network.

When a significant number of peers join the network at the same time, the network is readily able to handle the additional strain. P2P networks are more resilient to attacks than centralized ones because of their decentralized structure and the absence of centralized servers in these networks.

DISADVANTAGES OF PEER-TO-PEER NETWORKS

1. Security Risk:

Most peer-to-peer networks lack sufficient security features, leaving them vulnerable to hackers, viruses, and malware.

2. Bandwidth Limitations:

Since all users can access and share files, the network can become overwhelmed with traffic, resulting in slower speeds.

3. Lack of Reliability:

If any user’s computer goes offline or has a technical issue, it can affect the performance of the entire network.

4. Copyright Infringement:

Peer-to-peer networks make it easy to illegally download copyrighted content with no way to track the user who is downloading it.

5. Difficult Troubleshooting:

Because the network is decentralized, it can be difficult to troubleshoot technical issues.

FAQ: Types of peer-to-peer network

Conclusion:

To summarise, some features of the peer-to-peer network are:

No single point of failure: In the event that the service that is hosting your material is taken offline for any reason, it is quite probable that all of your data will be lost. On the other hand, this is not the case with P2P.

Scalable bandwidth & storage: Unlimited & Automatic; It utilizes a decentralized and distributed design, in which new nodes are created as more and more people engage with the data being stored.

Since there are no expenses associated with data storage or bandwidth usage, we do not have to pay any fees to third parties in order to have our information stored.

There is no involvement from a third party, and the data are safe. Only the friends with whom we had originally planned to share are eligible for our gifts.

Because it is an open and neutral platform, all of the nodes on it have the same privileges. This ensures that there will be no meddling from corporations, and we will retain custody of our data.