The Basics to P2P

Nowadays, the word P2P seems to come up almost everywhere on the world wide web. However, not everyone knows what this word means. If you're one of them, don't worry--follow this blog to gain more knowledge on this now widespread subject.

What exactly does P2P mean?

The abbreviation P2P stands for Peer-to-Peer. You may not know what "Peer" means, but it's really simple. Peer is a computer that uploads a certain file for other users to download. This is widely used in BitTorrent clients or in File Sharing clients like LimeWire or Ares (more info on these two later). I'll give you a brief example on how this system works.

How does it work?

You and I have the same file on our computers--let's say, The Lion King movie. We use a BitTorrent client to continously seed, or upload, this file to other people. Once someone has completely downloaded the file we both have, he in turn can optionally seed this file to help us, and so on. Once there are no seeders left, the torrent (as it is named), virtually dies. This means that there is no-one left to upload this file to other people.

File Sharing works just like BitTorrent, but instead of having to search the file on the internet, you search for it in the client. The term seeding isn't used here--it's simply put as sharing. The same concept is used--uploading the file so other people can download it and so on. The most notorious of these File Sharing Clients are: LimeWire, Ares, eMule and FrostWire.

Well, that's all to the basics of P2P. Now you understand it, you can do a little more research of your own, or you could just follow my blog. I will simplify everything as much as possible so anyone can understand, even children. P2P is a vast world, and I'm happy to teach everyone who's willing to learn.

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