Peer2Peer networking enables direct communication or sharing of information between individual users (or more specifically, their computers).

		The power of Peer2Peer is its ability to harness the power or data of a large number of decentralized computers, thereby providing capabilities that would be difficult, expensive, or time-consuming on a single large computer.
		Napster is a web site that allows members to catalog and share music residing on their hard drive. People interested in specific music tracks can review the catalogs, and then directly download the information (music tracks) from the other members' computers. The act of directly accessing and downloading a member's music is what is considered Peer2Peer.
		SETI, or the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, is a scientific effort whose aim is to determine if there is intelligent life out in the universe. SETI@home is one of the SETI projects. SETI@home allows anyone with a computer and an Internet connection to take part in the search. By using the computer while the owner is not actively on the system, the SETI@home screensaver is able to search for extraterrestrial signals.
		Most Information Technology (IT) departments try to reduce their costs and improve management of resources by centralizing applications. This is contrary to the benefits touted for Peer2Peer since a decentralized application can potentially cause more expenses since management may require more IT resources.