What is the difference between a p2p network and a mesh network?

Question

As already stated in the question, I was wondering what the difference between these two network (p2p and mesh) types is. I mean, in both of them all nodes are connected without a central server, and data is transported via different users using another users as hopping station. So, is it the same if I write a p2p network program, or a program which helps me creating a mesh? Even a research in the internet didn't tell me a difference. So maybe someone can help me here?

Answer 1

What is the difference between a p2p network and a mesh network?

Reference Mesh Networks:

Definition

"Mesh networks - are highly distributed networks which use special routing technology. In standard routing technology as used to send and receive information via the internet the 'routes' which data packets take are fixed. In mesh networks the software decides 'dynamically' or 'ad-hoc' which route data packets take. Sometimes 'mesh networking' and 'ad-hoc networking' are used as synonyms. In wireless and mobile networks mesh networking has the obvious advantage that the software adapts dynamically to changes in the structure or 'topology' of the network. There are a number of routing protocols which support mesh networking amongst which OLSR is one of the most advanced and most widely used ones."

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Meshworks are different from P2P Networks

As far as I understand the distinction, P2P works on the existing infrastructure, which may or not be P2P itself, while meshworks create a new infrastructure which is much more thoroughly distributed.

From a discussion of a Technology Review article at http://www.technologyreview.com/Infotech/18284/page1/

"In a P2P network, the physical infrastructure still looks like a tree, but the bandwidth is more efficiently employed because underutilized branches can become content distributors as well as receivers. A P2P network does not increase the total bandwidth available, it just uses the bandwidth better.

In a mesh network, users form new infrastructure by connecting directly (and often through multiple alternate pathes), and the network no longer looks like a tree. A mesh network increases the system's total bandwidth.

Both P2P and mesh networks benefit from "network effects" (i.e., the more users, the better the network), and they are complementary approaches. However, mesh networks have a number of benefits that P2P networks do not, including increasing the resiliency of the network and reducing the control that any ISP can exert over the content distributed on the network and the cost of connection."

Answer 2

Different names. :)

Although there are several particularities with each kind of P2P network, P2P network and mesh network are effectively synonyms in a broad sense.