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Reference.org
Point-to-point (telecommunications)
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<p>In <a href="/facts/Telecommunications/vxoj1cxR">telecommunications</a>, a point-to-point connection refers to a communications connection between two <a href="/facts/Communication_endpoint/BSG7lnw4">communication endpoints</a> or <a href="/facts/Node_(networking)/LBp2vNcJ">nodes</a>. An example is a <a href="/facts/Telephone_call/4wUtUXpY">telephone call</a>, in which one telephone is connected with one other, and what is said by one caller can only be heard by the other. This is contrasted with a <i><a href="/facts/Point-to-multipoint/6xWWhgdn">point-to-multipoint</a></i> or <i><a href="/facts/Broadcasting_(networking)/NRj7gHre">broadcast</a></i> connection, in which many nodes can receive information transmitted by one node. Other examples of point-to-point communications links are <a href="/facts/Leased_line/JzGppCIP">leased lines</a> and <a href="/facts/Microwave_radio_relay/bz9H9Ete">microwave radio relay</a>. </p><p>The term is also used in <a href="/facts/Computer_networking/3w5RM99p">computer networking</a> and <a href="/facts/Computer_architecture/tHtwxgR2">computer architecture</a> to refer to a wire or other connection that links only two computers or circuits, as opposed to other <a href="/facts/Network_topologies/rBYE0kke">network topologies</a> such as <a href="/facts/Computer_bus/R45TKwS7">buses</a> or <a href="/facts/Crossbar_switch/fSDXkMzf">crossbar switches</a> which can connect many communications devices. </p><p><i>Point-to-point</i> is sometimes abbreviated as <i>P2P</i>. This usage of <i>P2P</i> is distinct from <i>P2P</i> meaning <i><a href="/facts/Peer-to-peer/wCCdPb0H">peer-to-peer</a></i> in the context of <a href="/facts/File_sharing/7GISy0GJ">file sharing</a> networks or other data-sharing protocols between peers. </p>