Department of Software Engineering

Subject: Software Design & Architecture

Group Members:
Zain Nafees (Bsem-S21-022)
Fatima Arif (Bsem-F20-177)
Waqar Asghar (Bsem-F20-165)

Submitted to:
Sir Muneeb
 Comprehensive Report
Peer-to-Peer Networks
Definition:
In peer-to-peer network two or more computers connected with each other to share the resources and
files directly without any server. A peer-to-peer network contains different nodes that equally performed
in a network. All the work is divided between all nodes. Here the term node is used for the computer.
These all nodes interact with each other to share resources like hard disk and printer etc.

Characteristics:

There are many characteristics and that are given below:

 Peer to peer networks is usually formed by groups of a dozen or less computers. These computers
all store their data using individual security but also share data with all the other nodes.

 The nodes in peer-to-peer networks both use resources and provide resources. So, if the nodes
increase, then the resource sharing capacity of the peer-to-peer network increases. This is different
than client server networks where the server gets overwhelmed if the nodes increase.

 It has better stability and scalability.

 Since nodes in peer-to-peer networks act as both clients and servers, it is difficult to provide
adequate security for the nodes. This can lead to denial-of-service attacks.

 It is capable to use of advance operating system like as Windows and Mac OS.
  Its data is flowing one side.

 It does not need any central repository for managing their content because all nodes in P2P
network are autonomous in nature.

Benefits of Peer-to-Peer Network:

1) The failure of one computer won’t disrupt the rest of the system:
 A peer-to-peer network doesn’t rely on a centralized system to distribute information.

 That means each terminal can function independently of every other one.

 If one of the computers goes down for any reason, then the rest of the network will not
experience a disruption.

2. You get to avoid the expense of having and maintaining a server:

 A P2P network doesn’t require a server because individual terminals serve as a repository of
information.

 Authorized users can access any computer connected in this way through their assigned or personal
devices. This advantage can significantly reduce overhead costs for large organizations because
each workstation communicates with every other one on the assigned network automatically.

 This advantage also means that workers can become more productive because file access is
instantaneous instead of requiring a transfer from station to station.

3. Peer to peer networks don’t require a network operating system:

 A peer-to-peer network doesn’t require a network operating system to function correctly. This
advantage is another result of the independent structure of this setup.

 Each computer functions as its own “server” in a way, storing files for individual users while
providing access to local files – sometimes under different profiles. Then you can connect each
system to the Internet or to cloud-based systems as needed to manage the network. Without the
need for an operating system, users can stay more productive while companies can reduce
technology and staffing costs without impacting their employees in adverse ways.

4. This system doesn’t require advanced knowledge to be useful:

 P2P networks are much easier to set up and implement than client-server networks. This
approach does not require advanced knowledge during the startup phase.

 As long as the user understands how to connect the terminal to the others that are in close
proximity to the station, the peer-to-peer functionality becomes immediately achievable.
5. It reduces the need to have technical staff available:

 Peer to peer networks don’t require the same number of specialist staff as other connections
because everything happens at the user terminal. Each person gets to set their own permissions
as to which files they are willing to share with the rest of the network. Although that means it is
theoretically possible to create an independent system with nothing shareable on it.
.

6. Your internet speed may not impact the downloading time for your files.
 Depending on the number of terminals that act as seeds for the peer to peer network, the
speed of your Internet connection may not impact the quality of your download.

 Even when users have slow connections, some torrent files can download very quickly when
compared to the traditional method. This advantage is possible because of the structure of
sharing in this way.

 You are receiving small bits of information from hundreds or thousands of computers instead of
only one storage location.

Drawbacks of Peer-to-Peer Network:

1. The files or resources are not centrally organized with a P2P network:
 A P2P network stores files or resources on individual computers instead of using a centrally
organized public area. That means it can be challenging for some people to locate specific files
when the owner of a PC doesn’t seem to have a logical filing system.

 You must search through each database manually to determine what files are necessary to
download to your system. If you don’t have a robust Internet connection supporting these
efforts, then you could find yourself wasting a lot of time.

2. Virus introduction risks rise with a peer-to-peer network:

 When a peer-to-peer network is employed, then it becomes the responsibility of each unique user
to prevent viruses, malware, and other problems from being introduced to the system. One person
making a mistake can adversely impact an entire team’s productivity levels indefinitely.

 Even if the entire network runs antivirus software and operates with a firewall, there are no
guarantees that an individual user will avoid every problem they find online.

3. P2P networks often have very little security:

  Most peer-to-peer networks have very little security available to protect the information stored on
individual terminals or computers. If the IT department assigns permissions to a specific device,
then anyone with access to it will share that level of access.

 Most users don’t even need to log onto their workstations because of the structures employed.
That means the first line of defense for homeowners or businesses that use P2P networks is their
front door.

4. There is no way to back up files or folders centrally:

 The only way to back up files using a peer-to-peer network is to store them on separate devices.
That means you will have independent duplicate files that each user can modify independently
of each other.

 The lack of a centralized system creates issues with collaboration because of this disadvantage
since the information is more terminal-based without a server.

5. Peer to peer networks don’t provide a way to view files before download:
 This disadvantage does not apply to a network that allows individual terminals to access files
remotely from authorized systems. It applies to all other structures because there is no way to
review the information that you want to download until the file appears on your computer.

 Most systems will give you the opportunity to observe what the file contains as a preview, but it
will not allow you to view the quality of the data.