See also: P2P | Centralized | Decentralized | Seeder
AKA: Supernodes
In peer-to-peer networks, some nodes that are faster and more reliable take on server-like responsibilites. These “superpeers” route traffic, conduct network searches, and more.
Superpeers allow decentralized networks to run more efficiently by distributing the needs of the network to machines that can handle the burden. They are better than servers in that they allow multiple, separate points of failure, increasing the health of the P2P network.
Gnutella developers are using Ultra-Peers.
TakeDown.NET -> “Superpeer”