Peer-2-Peer app

[Codebyte]

Alright, so I have been thinking about creating an application that can use a socket to communicate text and files and things... I have been wandering what component to use... I use the new RAD CodeGear C++ Builder... Im not to familiar with networking but all of the applications that I have been developing usually use an additional server application to do anything... Is there a socket (UDP, TCP/IP...etc) that supports these capabilities and which is the best to use? I dont want to run into errors with firewalls or anything either... What kind of work am i getting myself into? Whats the best way to go into this? Any ideas?

[f0dder]

You will run into trouble with firewalls/routers, not much to do about it. BitTorrent has shown that TCP is just fine for peer-to-peer stuff, you don't need UDP (many people end up basically implementing TCP ontop of UDP, so don't bother unless you know you need UDP).

[jazper]

Good freeware components outside of CodeGears native VCL socket components or if you want to avoid Winsock API then ICS (http://www.overbyte.be) and if you are willing to pay for commercial components the IP*Works (http://www.nsoftware.com) components are very good as well.