P2P
From wsuwiki
Peer-to-peer is a file-sharing system where computers that download data also serve that data to other downloaders. The more users available on the system will make the bandwidth decrease. These are typically decentralized systems where users download music, files, movies, and other applications straight from other users. P2P usage is also a big issue with Net Neutrality. P2P activity uses a lot of bandwidth from the various internet service providers; therefore they want to reduce the activity of P2P usage. A few ISP's have limited the bandwidth speed to these P2P activities.
Various Types of P2P applications
Napster was one of the first P2P to become popular. It was created in 1999 but later had to be shut down in 2001 due to lawsuits. Napster was not a complete P2P function since it had centralized servers. Recently Napster was purchased by the Best Buy Company and is a pay to use service.
Limewire was created in 2000 using a decentralized network, therefore it was a complete P2P network. Users are able to download and upload items of there choice from users all over the world. Lime wire has two different versions, Limewire basic which is free, and Limewire Pro which is available for a semi annual or annual fee. Frostwire is much like Limewire which was created by users of Limewire. Since Limewire is an open-source program they were able to use that program and enhance the application and call it Frostwire, which has been said is equivalent to using Limewire Pro.
BitTorrent was first released in 2004. Unlike other P2P programs, BitTorrent was designed to distribute large amounts of data. BitTorrent is currently the most popular file sharing protocol, it uses roughly 27-55% of all Internet traffic depending on geographical location.
Kazaa is another P2P protocol which was created in 2001. It is very similar to programs like Limewire and Napster. It’s main use is to distribute music from P2P users. Kazaa became in trouble with the law much like Napster. It is currently still available but only on a pay to use basis. In the current state songs downloaded with Kazaa are not playable on portable devices, and cannot be listened to without an active subscription to the service.
Pirate Bay was established in 2003. It is a free websites which allows users to downloaded files from other users. Pirate Bay lets you download torrents that allow users to download data files from other users. So far certain ISP’s have blocked Pirate bay in Denmark, Italy, Ireland, United Kingdom, China, and The Netherlands. Facebook recently has begun blocking links that pertain to the Pirate Bay Sources
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/peer-to-peer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_neutrality
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napster
http://www.napster.com/about_napster.html
http://www.limewire.com/about/company
http://music.lovetoknow.com/History_of_Limewire
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BitTorrent_(company)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BitTorrent_(protocol)
http://torrentfreak.com/bittorrent-still-king-of-p2p-traffic-090218/