Napster was one of the first systems to utilize on a large scale the peer to peer model of sharing files. Peer to peer sharing occurs when computer networks use the bandwidth from the peers that are logged on, rather than using a relatively low number of servers to… share content files containing audio, video, data etc.
Many peer to peer networks are client server based, which alludes to the fact that a central server tends to run middle communications in between the client, or user, and the server.
Torrents are peer to peer networks where all files are decentralized when downloading and uploading. So, for example, if I wanted to download a Led Zeppelin song or album for that matter, I would type in what I am looking for on a website where torrents are hosted. Then I would have options of which songs, albums, videos, etc. I would like to download. Then I click the download now button, and if I possess the software to do so, which is free, and is offered on a number of torrent websites, and then it will begin to download. The following diagram helps to understand this abstract id ea
as you are downloading this Led Zeppelin song, or whatever you would like to download, other users can simultaneously download what you have completed of the Led Zeppelin file even if it is not fully completed. When another user is downloading a piece of one of your files, you become a seeder, essentially the place where the original file exists, or the seed. Seeing as this is an important concept, another diagram illustrating a user’s dual nature within each network is necessary.