Most of the internet runs on a client-server model. You (the client) request a webpage from a central server (like Google's), and the server sends it back to you.

This is efficient and easy to manage, but it creates a central point of control and failure. If the server goes down, the service is unavailable for everyone.

Peer-to-peer architecture flips this model on its head. In a P2P network, each node, or peer, acts as both a client and a server. Peers communicate directly with each other to share resources, data, or services without needing a central coordinator.

It's like a community where everyone shares resources with their neighbors instead of buying from a single central store.

In this chapter, we will explore the fundamentals of P2P architecture, from its core principles and design patterns to its modern-day applications, advantages, and challenges.

1. What Is Peer-to-Peer Architecture?