P2P in a Nutshell!

Peer-to-Peer, otherwise known as P2P, is not a new means of communication, but it is new in the world of web applications. Some platforms are now using this form of communication for their media streaming, and in fact, only a handful of video chat platforms have moved to P2P. In it’s latest version, 6rounds have implemented a P2P video chat into their experience, now offering both a regular version and a higher quality (P2P) chat as well. So what does this mean? Well let’s break it down below…
 

So What is P2P?

Just like in any other form of communication, information travels from one participant to another. The differentation factors between those forms of communication, are the routes that the communication takes in order to make its journey, and the type of participant at each end.

If you think of it in this way, then it makes sense that for sending information between computers or networks, the differentation factor would be whether the information goes directly, or is run through a server. The route of that information defines the communication either as standard or P2P.

So in short, P2P means that the information no longer goes through a server, and in fact, goes directly to the other “peer”. There are positive and negative aspects to this form of communication which we’ll discuss a little bit later on.
 

Why The Move?

Although P2P communication has been around for quite some time, it wasn’t until last December that Adobe launched the commercial version of Real Time Media Flow Protocol (RTMFP) and enabled “client to client” (C2C) streaming. The choice to move to P2P is a no-brainer for most companies. However, when choosing to go with Adobe’s P2P, a change in communication protocol has to take place from TCP to UDP. For all of us that aren’t tech/computer geeks, let me explain:

TCP is a very strict protocol that sends the packages of information and ensures that the other side receives, it by sending it multiple times if need be. UDP is a much looser means of sending data. Here the data is sent without the concern of the other sides receival of it. The information is sent, and whatever happens, happens.

Although P2P can in fact be used with TCP as well, Adobe’s Flash Player version (RTMFP) is a UDP-based protocol so in order to implement it, the switch must be made.
 

The P2P Video Chat Experience

UDP is a lot less reliable than TCP. However, because the information sent through UDP isn’t double checked, the information is a lot lighter and therefore can move faster through the system. When using UDP in a video chat experience, the strictness of TCP isn’t necessarily needed. Think about it this way, if you send a media file with 250 kilobytes per second but you end up not receiving 1 or 2 kilobytes it doesn’t make a drastic difference. The file is transferred faster, and the image is still crisp and clear, even though it is not in it’s completed form.

There is one downside of P2P, and that is that due to technological limitations, some of the features are disabled during the P2P version of the video chats. That’s just a small downer though.

P2P is better for the user. Since there is no validation process, the communication is faster. It gives a better image, higher quality and less delay. All in all, P2P enables us to improve the quality of the video and audio in the video chat experience.

It’s an exciting change and we’re sure you’ll notice the difference. Start a round, try it out, and share you thoughts with us below.