Peer to Peer Computing: Back to the Future

The popularity of file sharing services like Napster and processing sharing services such as SETI @ Home have underscored the potential power of peer-to-peer (p2p) networking and processing. While much of the attention surrounding p2p technologies centered around controversial or non-profit applications, many legitimate and potentially lucrative applications can be executed using p2p technologies. The case examines how established technology companies Intel and Hewlett Packard will offer p2p-based services and looks at selected start-ups that are forming to compete in new markets using p2p technologies.