Introduction

Peer to Peer, also known as P2P, is based on the idea that nodes in a distributed system should be peers rather than having some master/slave or other hierarchical structure.
The term developed a lot of buzz because of Napster.
However, the roots of the technology are based on the same concepts behind multiagent systems:
- Pro-active agents.
- Autonomous agents.
- Communications is key.
One major difference is that P2P systems are not always defined to achieve some desired emergent behavior, instead they serve the needs of the many.
Another practical difference is that agents are often more "intelligent" than peers. Should peers be smarter?