Peer-to-peer network

In computer science peer-to-peer networking is a technical concept based on sharing, that can be used for tools for sharing of digital content, ressources like internet bandwith and more. Peer-to-peer networks consist of individual nodes (the "peers") that (- in distinction from "traditional" concepts -) play essentially equal roles as they are servers and clients at the same time.

Peer-to-peer technology is a common example for collaboration technology and the spirit of sharing connected to the internet in general.

file sharing
A prominent use is file sharing. There are several important file sharing peer-to-peer networks that are used by many people and actually generate most of the data traffic on the internet.

important networks

 * BitTorrent
 * eDonkey 2000
 * Kademlia

censorship, anonymity
Other prominent uses of peer-to-peer technology are the application for create censorship resistant networks and for anonymous internet access/communication.


 * Freenet
 * Tor
 * I2P