Peer-to-peer systems

Most computer systems in use today are client–server. A good example is your web browser and typical web applications. You load up Google Chrome or another browser, go to a website, and your computer (the client) connects to the server. All communication on the system is between you and the server. Any other connections (such as chatting with a friend on Facebook) happen with your client connected to the server and the server connected to another client with the server acting as the go-between.

Peer-to-peer systems are about cutting out the server. In a peer-to-peer system, your computer and your friend's computer would connect directly, with no server in between them.

The following is a diagram that illustrates the peer-to-peer architecture: