The concept of a centralized system is one which has a major hub or hubs which peers communicate with. This system allows peers to be freed from certain efforts, giving them to the central body. Maintaining easily accessed and accurately updated lists of information on all clients is one way in which a central body shines.

In the computer world, centralization most frequently refers to File Sharing and Networks. File sharing is the activity of making files available to other users for download over the Internet, but also over smaller networks. ... A computer network is a system for communication between computers. ...

Centralization has a number of advantages:

• A central body is easily regulated and organized. The services it provides can be kept up to date.
• All participants need only refer to the central body, so there is no confusion as to communication channels.

Centralization has a number of (at least theoretical) disadvantages:

• A central body presents a single obvious target for attack.
• If the central body is crippled, all participants are crippled.

Napster had a centralized hub when it was in existence in 1999 See also: Decentralize | Centralized Clients | OpenNap | File Sharing | Multi-Network | Multi-Network Clients Decentralisation (American: decentralization) is any of various means of more widely distributing decision-making to bring it closer to the point of service or action. ... OpenNAP is a piece of free software that replicates the functionality of the once-popular Napster peer-to-peer filesharing server. ... File sharing is the activity of making files available to other users for download over the Internet, but also over smaller networks. ...