Abstract: A direct data communication link can be established for direct data communication between a first network device and a second network device of a peer-to-peer network. On determining to communicate with the second network device, the first network device can determine, based on a beacon message broadcast by a managing network device of the peer-to-peer network, whether the second network device supports a direct data communication protocol. If it is determined that both the first network device and the second network device support the direct data communication protocol, a set of handshake messages associated with the direct data communication protocol can be exchanged to establish the direct data communication link between the first network device and the second network device. Subsequent data messages can be exchanged between the first network device and the second network device via the direct data communication link.