File sharing refers to the providing and receiving of digital files over a network, usually following the peer-to-peer (P2P) model, where the files are stored on and served by personal computers of the users. Most people who engage in file sharing on the Internet both provide (upload) files and receive files (download).

P2P file sharing is distinct from file trading in that downloading files from a P2P network does not require uploading, although some networks either provide incentives for uploading such as credits or force the sharing of files being currently downloaded.

USENET

main: USENET USENET was the first global file-sharing network. Files are posted to alt.binary.* groups by users and copies are propagated to all hosts that carry that particular group. Unlike the later peer-to-peer file sharing networks, requests for a file relies on people asking others to post them, and users save them if they want those files.

First P2P-generation: Server-client

The first generation of peer-to-peer file sharing networks had a centralized server system. This system controls traffic amongst the users. The servers store directories of the shared files of the users and are updated when a user logs on. In the centralized peer-to-peer model, a user would send a search to the centralized server of what they were looking for. The server then sends back a list of peers that have the data and facilitates the connection and download. The Server-Client system is quick and efficient because the central directory is constantly being updated and all users had to be registered to use the program. However, there is only a single point of entry, which could result in a collapse of the network. In addition, it is possible to have out of date information or broken links if the server is not refreshed.

The first file-sharing programs marked themselves by inquiries to a server, either the data to the download held ready or in appropriate different Peers and so-called Nodes further-obtained, so that one could download there. Two examples were Napster (today using a pay system) and eDonkey2000 in the server version (today, likewise with Overnet and KAD - network decentralized). Another notable instance of peer to peer file sharing, which still has a free version, is Limewire.

Web-based sharing

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File Sharing On The Social Graph

Server-client-protocols

• Audiogalaxy - Service ended in the middle of 2002.
• Direct Connect
• Napster - Closed in its original form in July 2001, since changed to a fee-based service.
• Scour Exchange - The second exchange network after Napster. No longer exists.
• Soulseek - Still popular today despite being relatively old, with more than 120,000 users online at any time.
• TinyP2P - 15 lines Python - SOURCE code