When peer-to-peer sharing of files first started, they utilized a centralized server to maintain the files. This was to become known as the first generation of P2P networks and is known as the server-client-protocol. When a client wanted a file, they would search the centralized server and in return the server would facilitate the client with a list of other users who have that file.

The two biggest examples of the first generation server-client-protocol P2P networks are that of Napster and eDonkey2000. Although eDonkey decided to become decentralized to update with the times, Napster instead chose the other option which was to become a paid-for service.

In general though, server-client-protocol networks were in existence long before Napster and eDonkey2000. Since the dawn of the internet era, small private communities could use a web server to store their files and facilitate the downloads to other members, but it was Napster who did this on a large enough scale to be noticed by the various copyright authorities who in-turn shut Napster down then began legal proceedings against various teenage youth who often used the network.

There have been numerous server-client-protocol networks throughout the hay day of the first generation of P2P networking. Some of these networks included Audiogalaxy who shut their doors in 2002, Napster who closed in 2001 then reopened as a pay-service, Scour Exchange who was Napster’s biggest competition but has been completely shut down as well as Soulseek which is still up and fully operational with over 120,000 members world-wide.

Although the first generation of P2P networks is considered to be out-dated, they still exist just like the old Atari consoles, their strong following and large community has allowed them to stay around for much longer than most people would have figured.

P2P networks are very popular with not just the young teenage crowd, but many people who you would never expect are involved with the various P2P file sharing networks around the world. You seriously have to think about it though. How would the average teenager get an advanced screening version of a movie before it is available in the theaters? Many of the pirated films of movies in theaters may even have been made right from the projection room.

Regardless of your age, you are always welcome to join in the P2P file sharing revolution and be part of one of the largest communities in the world, the bit torrent community. There are some internet service providers who might go as far as saying that more than 75% of the world is already active in the bit torrent P2P file sharing network. So why aren’t you? The more time goes by, the more you fall behind in the technology. It is changing almost daily and if you wait too long, you may just find yourself on a website looking up a term that is used by the program that you have no clue as to what it means.

Popularity: 25% [?]

The first generation of peer-to-peer file sharing died leaving room for the second generations to come forward and take its place in the world of P2P file sharing networks. Originally, the first generation of P2P networks focused on a centralized server that maintained the data to be down load, while the second generation made room for a decentralized structure in which the files would be maintained on the clients personal computers then transferred others through a redundant virtual network.

The first such attempt to decentralize the network was done by the Gnutella right after the fall of Napster. Gnutella was developed by Justin Frankel who was part of the Nullsoft development company. The fist working model ended up being an almost complete failure as the entire network would bottle neck due to the onslaught of ex-Napster users who came looking for a place to share their files.

The main reason why Gnutella, at first, bottle necked was due to the simple fact that Gnutella made all the nodes equal. Soon FastTrack would create a new development that allowed certain nodes to be more equal than some of the other nodes on the network.

Gnutella picked up this development and implemented it into their own system which then created the Gnutella network that we all know of today. It was this development by FastTrack that allowed for the true decentralized peer to peer networks. In the network, some nodes become super nodes and have higher priority over others. They do this because they then become basically indexing nodes that maintain a track of the less than equal nodes attached to them.

Later, the second generation peer to peer networks also added the Dynamic Hash Tables to allow for file transfers without the need of the tracker file even further decentralizing the file sharing networks.

With over 10.3 million users, not including the bit torrent protocol, world wide, the FastTrack developed method of file sharing in the second generation has grown a quite respectable reputation.

The bit torrent and various other file sharing networks are not going anywhere, nor are they just going to disappear. As long as there is a need to share virtually any type of file with a complete stranger on the other side of the world, the file sharing networks are only going to grow in size.

The file sharing and especially the bit torrent network is quite literally the largest community in the world with hundreds of million members in virtually every county world-wide. How do you join the world’s largest community? You can simply download any bit torrent client software for free. Sit back and let the program bring the file you want directly to you. The faster your connection and the more you share, the faster you can get your files. It basically that simple!

Popularity: 31% [?]

When speaking about a multi network file sharing application, you must first consider the simple fact that many of the file sharing protocols as well as the application software developed on them are free. Therefore it is not uncommon to be in the middle of a download, and glance in the “Peers Connecter” tab and see peers on other programs. It is this cross platform capabilities that have allowed the bit torrent as well as many other protocols to become so popular.

Since every person is different, their needs in the file sharing application are different as well. If they know ho to develop, they can then simply get the open source software code, and redevelop it to include the extras they wish to see added into the program. It is under these exact premises, that the many variations of the many file sharing protocols have been developed. This is the reason why you may see many other programs when you are connected to the network and downloading a file.

If you have a file sharing program and do not know how to develop, all you have to do is figure out which protocol your client uses and do a search with the protocol as one keyword or phrase, and the extra that you are looking for. You may be able to find that version that works best for you.

This is the concept behind the multi-network file sharing protocols. It is basically an open source application that has been modified slightly to include the things that the person who did the modifications wanted to include into the program. There is a client out there for everyone, and even if you cannot find what you are looking for on one protocol, you can always try another protocol till you are satisfied with the application.

The most popular of these multi network file sharing protocols is of course the bit torrent protocol which is the largest the largest community in the world. Not to mention the fact that there are literally hundreds of variations in the application software itself, in many different programming languages. It is quite possible, that you may be on a program that uses the bit torrent protocol and not even know it.

To complicate it even further, there are just as many cross protocol applications out there as well. One such popular cross protocol application is Ares Galaxy, which uses mainly one type of protocol, but is also capable of downloading torrent files as well. Ares even goes a step further and allows its users to view the file as it is being downloaded. Basically, if you are downloading an MP3 file, you can play it even if it has not fully downloaded. The program does this by taking the randomly downloaded parts that have either been completely downloaded or even partially, and splices them together allowing you to preview the file. Not only is Ares a cross protocol file sharing application, it is also a multi network program since it is open source. There are many other programs available exactly like Ares and just like the bit torrent applications, you can see what programs your peers are using to connect to you.

Popularity: 18% [?]

With the continuing advancement of the peer to peer file sharing protocols and clients, there was a new need for anonymity in the peer to peer networks. It is on these ideals that brought forth the third generation peer to peer file sharing protocols. The anonymous peer to peer networks! By default these new protocols give pseudonyms to the clients connected to the network which allows for the free flow of information regardless of their legality without the repercussions associated with the data sharing.

As the years go by, more and more governments and copyright authorities have been hounding the users on various peer to peer networks in an attempt to get some type of retribution for the losses associated with sharing copyrighted data. Many of these organizations including the British Phonographic Industry along with the Recording Industry Association of America have managed to bring legal action against peer to peer network users who have utilized a form of peer to peer client that doe not support an anonymous connection.

By using the pseudonyms, one user cannot directly tell who another user is, nor can they distinguish the other party’s IP Address as it is converted into a name to represent that user. Since there is no identifiable information, this for of anonymous file transfer can put a halt to the tracking of downloaders.

Due to the fact that many peer to peer networks do not allow a direct connection from peer to peer but rather all connections are routed through another one, there is no sure way to determine if one user is requesting the data for itself, or for another node in the network.

Even government organizations have funded as well as supported the development of many anonymous tools in order to assist with intelligence gathering without the mole’s worry of repercussion of being found out since it cannot be easily tracked.

There are many pros as well as cons to the allowance of anonymous peer to peer file sharing. While many may like it in order to share copyrighted data, those same people may have problems with certain types of pornographic material that can be transferred using it. There has also been speculation that the anonymous peer to peer networks have also aided in the sharing of terrorist activities and information by using a predetermined set of searchable keywords. There is also a small portion of users who only utilize the peer to peer file sharing for legal issues and not the sharing of copy righted or illegal information and data, albeit small.

Regardless as to the intentions of the various users on the many peer to peer file sharing networks, the file sharing community continues to grow without any hesitation. As each new generation enters into the technological age, many new users will be joining the file sharing community.

As long as there is information to be shared, whether legal or illegal, the peer to peer file sharing networks will continue to grow and advance to overcome any obstacle in their way.

Popularity: 8% [?]

There are two major forms of the 4th generation of peer to peer file sharing protocols, both of which conform to the ideals of live streams. Whether you are talking about the RSS syndication of broadcatching, or the broadcast of the iPod (podcasting), the general consensus is that your are talking about the 4th generation of peer to peer file sharing networks.

Broadcatching was first brought to realization by Fen Labalme back in 1983, when he described the term as being an aggregated feed of data. The aggregator could then automatically receive and filter this data based on a set of variables determined by the independent user from multiple sources. Again in 1987, the tem was used again in a book by Stewart Brand as a means to help describe the concept of artificial intelligence and its interaction with the world. But it would not be until 2003 when Steve Gillmor came up with the idea of combining the concepts of the bit torrent protocol with an RSS feed as a means to continuously subscribe to media files from a given source. After many years and theorization, it would not be until 2004 when Andrew Grumet would officially integrate an RSS feed with a bit torrent peer to peer file sharing client.

The other form of live streaming peer to peer file sharing protocols is that of the podcast. The podcast actually derives its name as a conjunction of the iPod and broadcast, but that does not mean that you have to own an iPod. The concept of podcasting is very similar to broadcathing but it does not require a bit torrent peer to peer file sharing client rather it can accept the RSS feed straight through a website. The major difference is that accessing a podcast through a website allows one to download the media and place it on virtually any type of portable media device.

Regardless of the forms that are available, the 4th generation of peer to peer file sharing networks is here and you may have used one without even knowing it. For example, if you have ever used You Tube, then you have used one of the more basic forms of this generation of file sharing networks. Although you cannot actually download the file unless you have a download helper like one of the many add-ons available for Mozilla FireFox. But the entire You Tube network is available via an RSS feed right to practically any place you want it and that includes right to your desktop if you wish it to be so.

The point is that the peer to peer file sharing networks, regardless of which generation you prefer, are here to stay. As long as there is software and media files being made for the general public, and as long as the costs are too high, the file sharing networks will not be going anywhere other than up. As each new technology is created to prevent these programs from working, another technology is created just to counter it. It is a never ending battle between the copyrighters and those who believe that data should be shared freely amongst the others of the world.

Popularity: 6% [?]