File sharing is Transferring data and communicating between each peer in a computer network. Unlike the traditional networking model where a client requests a file from a server, File sharing (P2P) attempts to ratify this model and create networks where individual clients send requests to neighboring clients without relying on a central server. Relying on a central server is what led to Napsters downfall. Today most File sharing networks today are designed de-centralized.

1 A client requests information from a central/specific server.

2 The server then sends the data back to the client. Information like: search results, member information, etc…

3 The client directly downloads the data from an other client

In de-centralized file-sharing, peers connect & interact between each other without connecting to a central server or communicating with an outside source. Connecting directly to each other, peers create a virtual web where every peer in the web is connected to each other.  Networks, such as FastTrack, can be decentralized and controlled by a company or person.

1 Peer A connects to peer B, C and D

2 Peer A can communicate with every peer in peer D’s horizon (Same thing with B and C)

3 The client directly downloads the data from D's horizon