A New Classification for Peer-to-peer Networks Architectures

The peer-to-peer networks can present not only characteristics from the peer-to-peer model, but also characteristics from the client-server model. Depending on the level of involvement of the nodes in these two models, the networks can be classified within a spectrum that varies from a more centralizing pole, to a more decentralizing one. This article presents a new classification of the various existing architectures of peer-to-peer networks, under the perspective of the level of centralization, aiming to provide a better understanding of the relationship of these two models, as well as the possibilities of implementation of peer-to-peer applications under different approaches.