Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science

What defines a peer-to-peer network?

1. A network managed by a central server

2. A system for connecting user computers directly

3. A system requiring a subscription service

4. A network that only allows file sharing

The correct answer is: A system for connecting user computers directly

A peer-to-peer network is characterized by its decentralized nature, allowing individual devices or user computers to connect directly to one another without the need for a central server to facilitate communications. In this type of network, each participant, often referred to as a "peer," can act both as a client and a server, meaning that they can share resources like files or applications directly with others on the network. This direct connection enables more flexibility and efficiency in resource sharing because users can access each other's files and services directly. For example, in a file-sharing scenario, when one user uploads a file to share, other users can download it directly from the original user's device rather than going through a central location. This setup can enhance speed and reduce bottlenecks associated with traditional client-server architectures, where all communications must pass through a central server. The other options highlight concepts that do not fit the peer-to-peer model: a central server manages networks (as stated in the first option), subscription services are unrelated to the fundamental characteristics of peer-to-peer networks, and while file sharing is a common use case in these networks, it does not define them exclusively, as various applications beyond file sharing exist in peer-to-peer networks.