The client-server-peer-to-peer blockchain application

Even though peer-to-peer networks have been around for over 30 years, with the increasing popularity of blockchain, there has been a renewed sense of enthusiasm with respect to the world-wide embrace of peer-to-peer (P2P) architecture. P2P architecture is touted as part of the new “sharing economy,” which is characterized by decentralization, self-determination, inherent trust and profit sharing. While there are benefits, certainly, from self-determination, inherent trust and profit sharing, this article focuses on the role of P2P architecture in the technology stack of the future. Will client-server fade while P2P increases in popularity? What is the role of client-server in future blockchain tech stacks? Client-server architecture will have a significant role in future technology stacks because (1) in some ways, client-server is more efficient, (2) thin clients are desirable, (3) the blockchain public gateway will play a greater and greater role and (4) while Ethereum may be turing complete, it does not provide facilities for indexing, filtering and searching.

The History P2P architecture

In P2P architecture, each system acts as both a client (or node) and a server (information storage). IBM created one of the first P2P systems with the token-ring network. Each system was connected to every other system in the network via a ring typology. In this way, the systems could communicate with each other and share resources. Token ring technology was quickly enhanced by NetBIOS and…