P2P: Next computing wave or more vendor hype?

Communications News, Oct, 2001 by Morris Edwards

The hybrid P2P model resembles a ring network, where pieces of the traditional application and directory, and the message/object store and files, reside on the hard drives and caches of the networked PCs. Unlike client/server applications, hybrid P2P versions should, theoretically, only draw upon server resources when some part of the ring is not available, such as when a remote user is not logged onto the network, when the network bogs down, or when a connection is unexpectedly severed. In other words, the server plays a supporting role on the new computing stage, rather than a leading role.

EARLY USES

Since IT managers view pure P2P applications with suspicion and concern, most products for the corporate world follow the hybrid model, allowing an element of central control. Early uses involve either process sharing or Napster-like file sharing for collaboration or content distribution. Process sharing entails brokering spare CPU time on client machines across the network to complete tasks more quickly and make more efficient use of computing resources.

Harnessing the unused processing power and storage capacity of today's PCs could potentially deliver supercomputing capabilities at a fraction of current costs. Thus far, this so-called "grid-computing" model has been used primarily for heavy-duty number-crunching in scientific research. However, grid computing is poised to enter the corporate world for such applications as data mining and 3-D modeling.

Companies can also use P2P computing to gain efficiencies in their distributed storage networks. Software is available for determining the optimal distribution patterns and paths for storage loads, and for leaving a digital blueprint on each client identifying where to find the rest of the data. Additionally, P2P can help small and midsize businesses use their limited bandwidth more efficiently. By distributing storage loads, limiting downloads from Web servers, and sharing processing tasks at the LAN level, P2P can move activity away from the Internet to the corporate LAN, where bandwidth is more plentiful and easily managed.

P2P also holds promise for software interaction, allowing programs to send data inputs and outputs from one application to one another. The next generation of search engines, for instance, could use software agents in a P2P architecture to gather and distribute more timely and comprehensive information than is currently possible.