What Is DHT P2P?

DHT P2P or distributed hash table peer to peer systems allow for data file sharing on a large scale and without being controlled by a centralized organization. These networks use nodes or electronic devices attached to networks to send, receive, retrieve and forward information over a channel of communication. The node is the point of connection at which the information can be distributed from peer to peer.

History

The first four operable DHT networks are known to be Tapestry, Chord, Pastry and CAN. All of these networks came online at roughly the same time, in the year 2001. While these four are known to be the first, the idea and research that went into DHT P2P networks can be said to have started with systems like Napster and Freenet. These peer-to-peer sharing systems used resources that were already distributed throughout the Internet, pulling them together in a single application. They provided a system of file sharing that relied on large hard-disk capacity and bandwidth. These systems, however, were very vulnerable to the implementation of viruses and attacks from individuals looking to show that they could infiltrate the system.

Disadvantages

The biggest disadvantage to DHT P2Ps is that they do not use keyword searches to find the information or files that are needed. Instead, for the most part, there must be an exact match for the correct information to be found. This is not to say that the individual making the query will not find anything in an undefined search. However, it does mean that the chances for finding the exact information are random at best, unless the specific information is used.

Function

The function of distributed hash table peer-to-peer systems is to allow large file sharing among individuals in an efficient routing method. This type of system can offer infinite scalability and a huge amount of storage. This allows for larger files to be shared and controlled by the individuals using the system, rather than the system itself. This is why it is referred to as a peer-to-peer system. The files are not maintained on the system, but within the computers of the individuals who are sharing the files.

Warning

While DHT P2P networks allow for large-scale data downloads and file sharing, it should be understood that with the sharing of peer-to-peer files, adequate virus protection should be used. While some peer-to-peer systems have their own method for screening shared files for viruses, this is not the case with all systems. A virus may purposefully be attached to a downloadable file or it may be present in the file without the knowledge of the peer who has made it available. Most virus scanning programs will pick up on the viruses before the download is complete or immediately after, allowing for the file to be removed. However, it is best to realize that with shared files, the possibility of a virus download exists.

Potential

The potential for DHT P2P networks is nowhere close to being realized. While many changes have been implemented since networks such as Napster first came on line, there will still certainly be more made in the future. More and more applications are using DHTs to make files available online, such as file distribution with BitTorrent and web caching with Codeen. As more applications begin to use DHT's, protocols will change file sharing and distribution will be taken to a whole new level.