# Decentralized computing > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Decentralized_computing > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Decentralized_computing.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decentralized_computing > Source revision: 1350102841 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Distribution of jobs across different computers Not to be confused with [Distributed computing](/source/Distributed_computing). This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages) This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please help improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (May 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this message) This article needs more citations. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Decentralized computing" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (May 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this message) (Learn how and when to remove this message) **Decentralized computing** is the allocation of resources, both [hardware](/source/Computer_hardware) and [software](/source/Computer_software), to each individual [workstation](/source/Workstation), or office location. In contrast, [centralized computing](/source/Centralized_computing) exists when the majority of functions are carried out or obtained from a remote centralized location. Decentralized computing is a trend in modern-day business environments. This is the opposite of [centralized computing](/source/Centralized_computing), which was prevalent during the early days of computers. A decentralized computer system has many benefits over a conventional centralized [network](/source/Computer_network).[1] [Desktop computers](/source/Desktop_computer) have advanced so rapidly, that their potential performance far exceeds the requirements of most [business applications](/source/Business_application). This results in most desktop computers remaining [idle](/source/Idle_(CPU)) (in relation to their full potential). A decentralized system can use the potential of these systems to maximize efficiency. However, it is debatable whether these networks increase overall effectiveness. All computers have to be updated individually with new software, unlike a centralized computer system. Decentralized systems still enable [file sharing](/source/File_sharing) and all computers can share [peripherals](/source/Peripherals) such as [printers](/source/Computer_printer) and [scanners](/source/Image_scanner) as well as [modems](/source/Modems), allowing all the computers in the network to connect to the [internet](/source/Internet). A collection of decentralized computers systems are components of a larger computer network, held together by local stations of equal importance and capability. These systems are capable of running independently of each other. ## Origins of decentralized computing The origins of decentralized computing originate from the work of [David Chaum](/source/David_Chaum).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] During 1979 he conceived the first concept of a decentralized computer system known as [Mix Network](/source/Mix_network). It provided an anonymous email communications network, which decentralized the authentication of the messages in a protocol that would become the precursor to [Onion Routing](/source/Onion_routing), the protocol of the [TOR browser](/source/Tor_(anonymity_network)). Through this initial development of an anonymous communications network, David Chaum applied his Mix Network philosophy to design the world's first decentralized payment system and patented it in 1980.[2] Later in 1982, for his PhD dissertation, he wrote about the need for decentralized computing services in the paper Computer Systems Established, Maintained and Trusted by Mutually Suspicious Groups.[3] Chaum proposed an electronic payment system called [Ecash](/source/Ecash) in 1982. Chaum's company [DigiCash](/source/DigiCash) implemented this system from 1990 until 1998.[*[non-primary source needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:No_original_research#Primary,_secondary_and_tertiary_sources)*] ## Peer-to-peer Main article: [Peer-to-peer](/source/Peer-to-peer) Based on a "grid model" a peer-to-peer system, or P2P system, is a collection of applications run on several computers, which connect remotely to each other to complete a function or a task. There is no main [operating system](/source/Operating_system) to which satellite systems are subordinate. This approach to [software development](/source/Software_development) (and distribution) affords developers great savings, as they don't have to create a central control point. An example application is [LAN messaging](/source/LAN_messenger) which allows users to communicate without a central server. Peer-to-peer networks, where no entity controls an effective or controlling number of the network nodes, running [open source software](/source/Open_source_software) also not controlled by any entity, are said to effect a **decentralized network protocol**. By pooling distributed computational resources, decentralized networks enable robust applications such as digital content sharing, scientific computation, gaming, and collaborative work environments.[4] Furthermore, these networks are harder for outside actors to shut down, as they have no central headquarters.[5] This resilient structure forms the foundational architecture of blockchain networks, which rely on decentralized consensus to operate securely without a trusted central authority. [6] ## File sharing applications One of the most notable debates over decentralized computing involved [Napster](/source/Napster#Origin), a music [file sharing](/source/File_sharing) application, which granted users access to an enormous database of files. [Record companies](/source/Record_industry) brought legal action against Napster, blaming the system for lost record sales. Napster was found in violation of [copyright](/source/Copyright) laws by distributing [unlicensed software](/source/Copyright_infringement_of_software), and was shut down.[7] After the fall of Napster, there was demand for a file sharing system that would be less vulnerable to [litigation](/source/Lawsuit). [Gnutella](/source/Gnutella), a decentralized system, was developed. This system allowed files to be queried and shared between users without relying upon a central [directory](/source/Directory_(file_systems)), and this decentralization shielded the network from litigation related to the actions of individual users. ## Decentralized web This section is an excerpt from [Decentralized web](/source/Decentralized_web).[[edit](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Decentralized_web&action=edit)] The [decentralized web](/source/Decentralized_web) is a network of independent [computers](/source/Computer) that provide secure, censorship-resistant access to information and services without relying on central [servers](/source/Client%E2%80%93server_model) or [clouds](/source/Cloud_computing), using decentralized computing. ## See also - [Centralized computing](/source/Centralized_computing) - [Distributed computing](/source/Distributed_computing) - [Decentralized information technology](/source/Decentralized_information_technology) - [Decentralized network 42](/source/Decentralized_network_42) - [Decentralized Autonomous Organization](/source/Decentralized_Autonomous_Organization) - [Federation (information technology)](/source/Federation_(information_technology)) - [Federated social network](/source/Federated_social_network) - [Blockchain](/source/Blockchain) - [Decentralized finance](/source/Decentralized_finance) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Pandl, Konstantin D.; Thiebes, Scott; Schmidt-Kraepelin, Manuel; Sunyaev, Ali (2020). ["On the Convergence of Artificial Intelligence and Distributed Ledger Technology: A Scoping Review and Future Research Agenda"](https://doi.org/10.1109%2FACCESS.2020.2981447). *IEEE Access*. **8**: 57075–57095. [arXiv](/source/ArXiv_(identifier)):[2001.11017](https://arxiv.org/abs/2001.11017). [Bibcode](/source/Bibcode_(identifier)):[2020IEEEA...857075P](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2020IEEEA...857075P). [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1109/ACCESS.2020.2981447](https://doi.org/10.1109%2FACCESS.2020.2981447). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [2169-3536](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2169-3536). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [Patent US4529870](https://patents.google.com/patent/US4529870) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Chaum, David. [Computer Systems Established, Maintained and Trusted by Mutually Suspicious Groups](https://chaum.com/publications/research_chaum_2.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161108192645/http://www.chaum.com/publications/research_chaum_2.pdf) 2016-11-08 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Vu, Quang Hieu; Lupu, Mihai; Beng, Chin Ooi (2010). *Peer-to-Peer Computing: Principles and Applications*. SpringerLink Bücher. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-3-642-03513-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-3-642-03513-5). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Fiat, Amos; Saia, Jared (2007-01-21). ["Censorship Resistant Peer-to-Peer Networks"](https://theoryofcomputing.org/articles/v003a001/). *Theory of Computing*. **3**: 1–23. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.4086/toc.2007.v003a001](https://doi.org/10.4086%2Ftoc.2007.v003a001). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-croman2016_6-0)** Croman, Kyle; Decker, Christian; Eyal, Ittay; Gencer, Adem Efe; Juels, Ari; Kosba, Ahmed; Miller, Andrew; Saxena, Prateek; Shi, Elaine; Gün Sirer, Emin; Song, Dawn; Wattenhofer, Roger (2016). ["On Scaling Decentralized Blockchains: (A Position Paper)"](https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-662-53357-4_8). *Financial Cryptography and Data Security*. Lecture Notes in Computer Science. Vol. 9604. Springer. pp. 106–125. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1007/978-3-662-53357-4_8](https://doi.org/10.1007%2F978-3-662-53357-4_8). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-3-662-53356-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-3-662-53356-7). Retrieved 9 March 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Evangelista, Benny; Writer, Chronicle Staff (2002-09-04). ["Napster runs out of lives -- judge rules against sale"](https://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Napster-runs-out-of-lives-judge-rules-against-2774278.php). *SFGate*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210309222141/https://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Napster-runs-out-of-lives-judge-rules-against-2774278.php) from the original on 2021-03-09. Retrieved 2019-07-25. ## Notes - Crowcroft, Jon. Moreton; Tim. Pratt, Ian. Twigg (2003). ["Peer-to-Peer Systems and the Grid"](http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/teaching/2003/AdvSysTop/grid-p2p-paper.pdf) (PDF). Retrieved 2013-11-06. {{[cite journal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_journal)}}: Cite journal requires |journal= ([help](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:CS1_errors#missing_periodical)) - Reid, Alex (1995). ["IT Strategy Review, Distributed Computing – Rough Draft"](http://www.ict.ox.ac.uk/oxford/strategy/1996/papers/itstratx.dis). Retrieved 2013-11-06. --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Decentralized computing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decentralized_computing) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decentralized_computing?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.