Peer 4 Peer (P4P)

What is peer 4 peer?

Peer 4 Peer, known as P4P, is an open standard, and can be seen as an improvement to Peer 2 Peer (P2P), rather than an entirely new development. Peer 4 Peer (P4P) provides a more efficient, intelligent network design, sharing files by metro-area.

Why is Peer 2 Peer (P2P) so good?

Peer 2 Peer allows a single file to be downloaded from multiple sources simultaneously, rather than from a single location. This provides greater bandwidth - the measurement of throughput on a computer network -allowing faster download speeds than would otherwise be possible.

P2P is often thought of as being illegal, due to it's use in file-sharing networks. However, the BBC's iPlayer and Channel 4's 4OD both use Peer 2 Peer technology to increase download speeds for their users. It is in no way illegal, but file-sharing software uses P2P to quickly transfer illegal copies of files around their networks.

Further reading on Peer 4 Peer (P4P)

• BetaNews | 'P4P' could double P2P transfer speeds
• Does the Internet Need More Roads or Better Traffic Signals?
• P4P: faster, smarter P2P (brilliant technical depth)
• 'P4P' To Replace P2P?
• Verizon embraces P4P, a more efficient peer-to-peer tech

Related sites

• P2P Marketing
• International Hacker
• .co.uk domain name deletion / drop dates

© 2010 Peer 4 Peer (P4P). Website development by Nick Johnston.