In its simplest form, a peer-to-peer (P2P) network is created when two or more PCs are connected and share resources without going through a separate server computer. A P2P network can be an ad hoc connection—a couple of computers connected via a Universal Serial Bus to transfer files. A P2P network also can be a permanent infrastructure that links a half-dozen computers in a small office over copper wires. Or a P2P network can be a network on a much grander scale in which special protocols and applications set up direct relationships among users over the Internet.
Previously, many workers felt liberated by having
dedicated PCs on their desktops. But soon they needed a way to share
files and printers. The obvious solution was to save files to a
floppy disk and carry the disk to the intended recipient or send it
by interoffice mail.
Let us see an example of
peer-to-peer networks. If User A's PC is connected to a printer that
User B wants to access, User A must set his machine to allow (share)
access to the printer. Similarly, if User B wants to have access to a
folder or file, or even a complete hard drive, on User A's PC, User A
must enable file sharing on his PC. Access to folders and printers on
an office P2P network can be further controlled by assigning
passwords to those resources.
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