What is a peer-to-peer network?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Peer-to-peer networks,which are often used on small networks, are more distributed than server-based networks. In a peer-to-peer configuration, each system on the network is both a server and a client. There is no central server to manage user accounts; instead, each peer offers its own shared resources and controls access to those resources, such as through a workgroup of designated members or through accounts created on that peer workstation. Data and applications reside on the individual systems in the network. Software upgrades and backup operations must be performed locally at each computer. Security, which is implemented on each computer, is not uniform. Each user of the network is, to some degree, responsible for administering his or her own system. Despite the disadvantages a peer-to-peer network presents to the system administrator, the individual users do not depend on a central server. If one computer in the network fails, the other systems continue to operate.