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P2P software typically allows people to share files on the Internet using
diverse connectivity between participants in a network and the cumulative
bandwidth of the network participants. In other words, it does not use the
conventional centralized resources where a number of servers provide value to a
service or an application. Other than this, a P2P network also depends on its
users for computing power, as well as storage space.
A pure P2P network does not have a centralized server or a central router;
and every user enjoys equal rights as her or his machine is connected to the
server and the server further passes on information to the others attached to
the network. P2P network is very popular for sharing content files containing
audio, video, data or anything in a digital format, and realtime data such as
telephony traffic.
So, for instance, if you download and run software from any of the P2P sites,
you will instantly have access to all the files that are there on the system of
the other users of the P2P network. In the same way the others too will have
access to your files.
The Napster Connection
A discussion on P2P cannot be complete without a mention of Napster. This
extensively used online music file sharing software was one of the first P2P
softwares.
It created quite a wave as it hugely impacted how people used the Internet.
Napster allowed music fans to easily share MP3 format song files with each
other. The software created by Shawn Fanning, operated between June 1999 and
July 2001.
Interestingly, Napster, which worked on the lines of an instant messaging
system, wasnt a P2P site in its entirety. It used central servers to maintain
lists of connected systems and files they provided, while the actual
transactions were conducted directly between machines. While there already were
networks that facilitated exchange of files on the Internet, such as IRC,
Hotline, and USENET, Fannings Napster climbed the popularity charts as it
revolutionized the music downloads from the Internet.
Though the software did make massive copyright violations, and lost the court
case against music companies, it paved way for the decentralized peer-to-peer
file sharing programs, which have been much harder to monitor.
However, despite its numerous advantages, a P2P network does not come free of
troubles. To begin with, it lacks a basic mechanism to check the files various
users attached to the network are uploading.
Trend Watch
Despite the numerous shortcomings, P2P is being increasingly used for
Internet marketing. It was IBM, HP, and Intel who started it by taking steps to
standardize and commercialize the technology. Now its being used by large and
small companies alike for legitimate commercial purposes, because of its very
efficient distribution system. And why not, it is a low cost electronic
communication and information sharing system that has made inter-company
collaboration one of the most discussed topics.
Research communities too are widely using the P2P network for sharing files
over the Internet for video distribution services like BBCs iPlayer, a service
that was developed for extending BBCs existing RealPLayer based Radio Player
and other streamed video clip content.
More recently, a group of Internet service providers led by Verizon
Communications announced working on harnessing the technology to reduce network
traffic and speed up video downloads on the Web. Verizon will offer protocols to
help co-operate with P2P networks to deliver entertainment. So is P2P finally
getting favourable acceptance from all corners? Maybe, maybe not! Well need
to wait and watch.
Urvashi Kaul
urvashik@cybermedia.co.in
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