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P2P is a network protocol for downloading files. It allows users to connect with each other to search and download content, making it efficient for large files. P2P software tracks download and upload ratios, and leeching is frowned upon. P2P is legal, but sharing copyrighted materials is not.
Peer to peer (P2P) is a network protocol for computer users, used to download torrents or P2P files. Instead of connecting to the Internet, P2P software allows surfers to connect with each other to search and download content. Due to the unique network structure, it is very efficient for downloading large files. A quick comparison to the standard download explains why.
The Internet connects users or surfers to web site servers. Browsing the Internet, a user establishes a one-to-one connection with each website visited. If the user wants content (files) from that website, the server that stores the website transfers the requested files. Since a website can have hundreds or even thousands of visitors at any one time, file transfer can be slow or sluggish at times. Download speed can slow down by a thread.
On a P2P network, when a user wants a file, the installed software locates any copies of the file within the network. So it allows the user to create multiple connections with different sources that have all or part of the requested file. When parts of the file are received, they are also uploaded to other users requesting that file. This protocol of matching multiple sources to a request makes for an efficient download scheme.
Since files are received from various sources instead of a single source, large files can be downloaded quickly via P2P. However, there’s a catch. P2P software tracks how much a user downloads, versus how much they share. If someone downloads more than they upload, the download bandwidth is reduced or choked. If you maintain a ratio of 1:1 or better, the download speed increases.
Most users have asynchronous connections to the Internet, which means they can download many times faster than they can upload. Therefore, uploading data to a P2P network can take a long time. To ensure good download speed, users usually stay logged in after receiving the required files to send the file to others. P2P software can be configured to automatically disconnect the user from the network when a certain share ratio is reached.
A leech is a P2P user who disconnects from the network as soon as he receives the requested file. This is considered poor form on a P2P network. A swarm refers to the total amount of users making a particular file available and could consist of multiple seeds, leeches, and downloaders/uploaders.
You can use a web browser to search for a P2P torrent, for example, but you’ll need to install a P2P client to actually download the torrent. Many clients are freeware and some are open source programs, generally considered to have no backdoors or spyware.
This technology is legal, but sharing copyrighted materials is not. Some websites that store illegal P2P files have been targeted by organizations representing recording artists and the film industry. In some cases, class actions against users have also been launched.
