At first glance, it might seem that the owner of a computer whose work is not directly related to the installation, commissioning, and subsequent maintenance of local networks does not need to know what is hidden behind the term “peer-to-peer network”. Everyone thinks so ... until a decision is made to connect several computers via cable.
Peer-to-peer networks are widespread due to simple configuration and efficiency sufficient for most tasks. Let's start by listing some of their areas of application.
Imagine a situation known to everyone: a family has two computers (sometimes even more). One, personal, with her husband is a serious computer with powerful components that can easily cope with any task. And the second half has a laptop. Its performance is enough for simple casual games, watching movies, modeling hairstyles, etc. There are two computers, one Internet connection , and browsing the pages in order of priority is inconvenient. You can, of course, use Wi-Fi, but an additional source of high-frequency radiation is unlikely to benefit health. One solution is a peer-to-peer network. Note, nevertheless, that through radio access it is possible to organize such a connection - in this case, the technical features of the implementation are not fundamental. In addition, it makes it possible to share various equipment (printers, external CD drives), exchange files, etc. An ad hoc network allows you to connect computers not only in one apartment, but also in a high-rise building, and these are games with friends over the network , the cheaper Internet, distributed at all, is a common repository of information. Ways to use the mass. Well, for residents of the private sector, where only 1-2 providers offer their expensive services, a peer-to-peer network is almost a panacea.
The term “peer to peer” means that all the computers that make up such a network are both servers and clients. Each of them is a full-fledged link, independent of the others (when connected via switches or hubs). For example, the network works, even if only two of the total number of machines are currently turned on. The exact opposite is server-side. A specialized server computer is the host to which client machines connect. The advantages of the latter scheme in a larger allowable number of connected clients, the possibility of organizing a centralized anti-malware system, caching of requested data (acceleration of work with resources on the global network) , etc.
What home networks (within a house, apartment) can be considered peer-to-peer? It is very simple to determine: if the access to storage media (disk drive, hard drive) and connected devices (scanner, printer) is enabled in the operating system of each computer, and there is no central organizing server, then this is a peer-to-peer network.
There are also combined (combined) types of networks, at some stages of construction of which peer-to-peer principles are used, and at the output, when providing access to global resources, server networks. A striking example is the local network of a company whose offices are located in the same building: client machines are connected to each other in a peer-to-peer way, and Internet requests go through a single server. The disadvantage, or rather, the peculiarity of this solution is a more complex layout and subsequent configuration of all components.
In general, we can say that even now, during the ubiquitous Internet, local peer-to-peer networks are still in demand, as they are best suited to solve a certain range of problems.