PRACTICAL NO.

01

I. Aim : To Configure Peer to Peer network with at least three hosts .

II. Practical Significance:
Peer-to-peer computing or networking is a distributed application architecture that partitions
tasks or workloads between peers. Peers are equally privileged, equipotent participants in the
application. They are said to form a peer-to-peer network of nodes.
Stands for "Peer to Peer." In a P2P network, the "peers" are computer systems which are
connected to each other via the Internet. Files can be shared directly between systems on
the network without the need of a central server. In other words, each computer on a P2P
network becomes a file server as well as a client.

III. Competency and Practical Skills :

 The aim of this course is to help the student to attain the following identified competency
through various teaching learning experiences:Maintain data communication and computer
network.

IV. Relevant Course Outcomes :

1. Analyze the functioning of data communication and computer networks .
2. Select relevant transmission media and switching techniques as per need .
3. Configure various networking devices .
4. Analyse the transmission errors with respect to IEEE standards .

V. Practical Outcomes :
Configure peer to peer networks with at least three hosts .

VI. Relevant Affective Domain related Outcomes :

a. Follow safety practices .
b. Handle network components carefully .
c. Demonstrate as a team leader/a team member .
d. Follow ethical practices .

VII. Theoretical Background :

In a peer-to-peer network, all computers have the same rights. Each computer can act as a client
and as a server.

A peer-to-peer network is almost always represented by a work group. Such a network is

appropriate if the number of computers does not exceed 20 and the security of your data is not so
critical. The majority of small business organizations use this type of local area network. It is
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important to remember that configuration of a LAN must be performed using the administrator
account.

Fig. 1.1 Peer to Peer Network

Key advantages of a P2P network
1. Easy file sharing: An advanced P2P network can share files quickly over large distances.
2. Reduced costs: There is no need to invest in a separate computer for a server when setting up
a P2P network.
3. Adaptability: P2P network extends to include new clients easily. This benefit makes these
networks more flexible than client-server networks.
4. Reliability: Unlike a client-server network, which can fail if the central server malfunctions, a
P2P network will likely remain functional even if the central server crashes.
5. High performance: While a client-server network performs less effectively when more clients
join the network, a P2P network can improve its performance when more clients join it. This is
due to the fact that each client in a P2P network is also a server that contributes resources to
the network.
6. Efficiency: Emerging P2P networks enable collaboration between devices that have different
resources that can benefit the whole network.

VIII. Actual Procedure Followed :

Setting up a workgroup
1. When configure your local network you must first make sure that all the computers in it are
merged into one workgroup.
2. To determine which workgroup computer is located in, click Start, right-click Computer and
select Properties from the context menu.
3. The System window shall open. In the lower right corner of the window, select Change
settings and check the workgroup name in the System properties window.
4. By default, the workgroup in Windows is called WORKGROUP. You can come up with your own
name or use already available name of your existing workgroup.
5. You can change the name by clicking Edit.

Configuring network adapters

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1. At this stage, you must make sure that the workgroup computers have the same IP address
range, the same subnet mask and default gateway (if you have a router to provide Internet
access).
2. For example, if there are 20 computers in your network each computer should have an IP address
like: 192.168.1.1 for the first computer, 192.168.1.2 for the second computer, etc.
and 192.168.1.20 for the twentieth computer.
3. Subnet mask should be the same for all computers in your organization, e.g. 255.255.255.0.
4. The default gateway is the IP address of your gateway (router), e.g. 192.168.1.100.
5. To find out whether DHCP is used see the network adapter properties (Control Panel -> Network
and Internet, click Network and sharing Center -> Change adapter settings -> LAN connection -
> Information).

Setting up user accounts

1. Prior to configuring user accounts in Windows, you must open Network and Sharing
Center and allow File sharing and Public folder sharing. This has to be done on each computer
in your network.
2. Using the administrator account make sure that each of your computers has access to shared
network resources. To do this, open any folder and in the address bar type the address in the
form of \\computer_name\admin$
3. For example: \\COMP1\admin$. If a folder is opened then computers within the network are
able to exchange data with full access to any resources. If the system prompts you to confirm
the access, type the Administrator account information in the box and click OK.
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IX. Resources Required :

S. No. Name of Specifications Qty Remarks
Resource/material
1 Computer Systems Operating System=Win XP Pro or 3 Setting up
Higher hosts to
network
Processor Speed=1GHz
Memory=1GB
2 Network Card 100BaseT 1 Connecting
hosts to it
3 Cabling/ Hubs & 100BaseT 1 Connecting
Switches hosts to it

4 Other Hardware CD ROM Drive/ USB Flash drive 1 For Software

installation/
data transfer

X. Precautions :
 Handle network components carefully .

XI. Results :
Configured Peer-to-Peer network connection with 3 Hosts successfully.

XII. Exercise:
1. Draw architectural diagram of Peer to Peer network with 3 Hosts .
Ans:

2. Compare Client Server & Peer to peer network.

Ans
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3. Give Applications of Peer to Peer Network .

Ans: