A peer-to-peer network is a kind of computer network where two or more computer systems are connected together without using a separate server. Computer in this network can be arranged in such a way that they are client and servers. So here this article gives the advantages and disadvantages of peer to peer network to better understand this topic.
Advantages of peer to peer network:
- It does not require any network operating systems.
- All workstations are capable to access any type of files so do not require any costly server.
- Peer to peer network does not need any full-time system administrator for managing the entire network.
- Without any high-level knowledge of this network, you can easily configure this P2P network.
- P2P network is more protective.
- All user have own permission that they can share any file over the network. So it does not need any well-trained staff for operating this peer to peer network.
- P2P network is adaptable because, in this network, new computer systems can be easily configured. So it is more flexible.
- If anyone peer of this network is getting to halt then the entire network will not be affected instead of those parts.
- Users can find any time because its library of files is available 27*7 times.
- The user does not get any impact of downloading time of enlarging files while degrading internet speed of connections.
- Due to the best scalability, it offers better performance because if we want to add extra clients over this network then its performance is not getting degrade.
- Users can start the retrieval process at any time without any hindrance.
Disadvantages of peer to peer network:
- Peer to peer network is decentralized so it is a big challenge to an administrator. The entire accessibility of a full network cannot be controlled by one person.
- All computer systems can be used anytime duration.
- To get backup of data is a harder task because it is all data is saved on different types of computer systems as well as it has not any centralized server.
- You have to require specific software programs that help to make the file usable if you are getting torrent download.
- It does not contain any center medium used for data storage for file archiving.
- It is too much slow performance because every computer is accessed by other users.
- Every computer system contains a unique password over the whole network.
- P2P network users do not get any preview of the file content before download.
- User IP can be exposed automatically by P2P protocol, and if you want to solve this problem then can be used as a virtual private network.
- Speed of internet connection can be affected while uploading and downloading simultaneously.
- Few peer-to-peer networks can transfer illegal data on your computer system without your permission.
- Many movies, music, and other copyrighted content are sent using, so peer-to-peer technology is implemented into torrents.
- Over this network, any file can be accessed remotely by other users without getting any permission because unsigned or unsecured codes exist on any particular terminal point.
- The overall security of the P2P network is less because all computers perform their tasks independently, and it also contains its own data.
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