What is a peer-to-peer network?

Peer-to-peer (P2P) is a decentralized communications model in which each party has the same capabilities and either party can initiate a communication session. Unlike the client/server model, in which the client makes a service request and the server fulfills the request, the P2P network model allows each node to function as both a client and server.

Using peer-to-peer software within your environment creates an unforeseen hole in your network

security. Such software easily operates within the restrictions of a configured firewall, as the software

generally makes outward connections rather than relying on accepting incoming connections.

Users could easily misuse or configure such software to allow outside systems to browse and obtain

files from their computers. These files can be anything from confidential data in an email inbox to

proprietary design documents.

Two computers. One Room. No internet. Connect one computer to the other without a router or hub. Computers are "peers". Thus peer to peer or computer to computer. This is the most basic of a peer to peer network. Technically when you use a "hot-spot" and you connect a device directly to your phone, that could be considered a peer to peer network. The reason why this might be considered vulnerable to viruses is because most routers have a firewall that can prevent unauthorized intrusion, including some types caused by viruses. A peer to peer network may not have the benefit of a quality firewall. (windows firewall is mostly useless and smart phones and tablets generally don't have one at all) In a multi-computer environment where all the computers need to talk to one another, a peer to peer network is inefficient because you have to connect each computer in a line. So if you have computer A B and C and C wants to talk to A, it must first go through B. This would also require each computer to have two network cards and share it's connection with the other. If you have multiple devices connected to a single point and all communicate through that point, then you aren't technically using a peer to peer network. When people use Hot-Spots, which are generally referred to as peer to peer networks, they are actually connecting to something similar to a router and therefore it's not really a true peer to peer network.

So to clarify this a bit. A true peer to peer network is saying the same as computer to computer and one to one. Each computer in a peer to peer network is only connected to one other computer. (Look up how Token Ring networks worked as an example how peer to peer was first used to create networks)

A full network is one to many and many to one.

Peer to Peer Network means your running a Server and Client at the same time... and everyone connected to you is Also running the same Client and Server at the same time... making you all equal...

Now in most P2P network you can disable your ability to "Share" thereby disabling your Server... but still being able to download from other "Shares" / Servers... meaning you will just be a Client on a P2P.

P2P networks: Torrents, Skype, any distributed system such as: DHCP & terminal Services, etc... if your connected to one of these your on a P2P network..., WorkGroup...

Now while being on these network everyone has Access to your as you to them... and you can pick-pocket anyone you like (collect information).. or even slip something in their pocket (virus)...

But there are also things you can do to protect yourself... one way is FireWall... Intrusion Protection, Malware protection...

Being on P2P... or any Network leaves you Vulnerable to the users that has access to it... meaning you don't know who else in on that same network.... or their level of expertise.

Don't get it wrong P2P means Server/Client... or you can say everyone is a Client and a Server... or everyone has the same rights.

when two or more PCs are connected and share resources without going through a separate server computer" is a peer to peer network

a network that doesn't have a main computer.

every computer in the network works as a server and as a client.

a P2P network is ANY network that does not connect to a server....

since a P2P network is not centralized the spread of viruses can happen much quicker....imagine you are in a big room and can talk to anyone else in that room (this is P2P).

I believe P-to-P allows ANYONE access to your PC... They can they install a virus, access your files, etc.