Peer-to-Peer Networks

Peer-to-peer networks are computer networks that do not have a central server controlling the network.

Each computer is called a peer, and these peers are connected to one another.

No computer has control over another.

This type of network is not suitable for a large network where a client-server structure would be preferable.

You can learn about client-server networks here.

Each computer can communicate and share its data and resources with all others (e.g. files or even a printer)
Users can control which files they wish to share or keep private
No cost in buying a server
No need to pay a network technician (each user manages own file sharing permissions)
Easier to set up with less specialist knowledge needed
Over-all set up cost is cheaper
Computer failure will only disrupt the files being shared from that computer (unlike a server failure on a client-server network)

Difficult to recover files as they are not backed up centrally
Each computer needs its own backup system
Files and resources are more difficult to share
Files are potentially less secure when not centralised
Difficult to administrate the whole network as the system is not centralised
Performance may be slower due to each computer fulfilling more than one role and being accessed by others
Security can be more expensive as each computer needs its own anti-virus software
It is up to the user of each computer to ensure viruses are not introduced to the network
Having lots of users/computers on the network becomes problematic