What does a P2P (peer-to-peer) network allow each node to do?

A P2P (peer-to-peer) network allows each node to communicate directly with every other node. This architecture eliminates the need for a centralized server, enabling each participant in the network to share resources, such as files or processing power, with the others. In a P2P context, every device can act as both a client and a server, facilitating a more decentralized and resilient way of exchanging information. This direct communication is key to the efficiency and flexibility of P2P networks, making it easier to distribute tasks and resources among multiple users.

The other options describe characteristics that do not align with the principles of a peer-to-peer network. For example, acting as a centralized server contradicts the fundamental decentralized nature of P2P networks. Receiving data solely from a mainframe implies a hierarchical structure where one powerful computer serves various clients, which is not how P2P systems operate. Limiting connections to a single hub indicates a reliance on a central point of control, which undermines the direct connectivity and redundancy that P2P networks provide.