Abstract: A method for controlling a computer entity to participate in a peer to peer network of a plurality of computer entities comprises, for each computer entity, operating a peer to peer protocol for enabling the computer entity to utilise resources of at least one other computer entity of the network, and for enabling at least one other computer entity of the network to utilise resources of the computer entity. Whenever the resources of a computer entity are not being used by a service application at a higher level layer than the peer to peer protocol, that computer entity is arranged to operate a process for managing at least one other computer entity in the network.

Abstract: A method of operating a computer entity in a peer-to-peer network is provided in which the computer entity carries out a reputation management process in which it collects reputation data items and uses them to monitor and manage at least one other said computer entity of said network. A computer entity for implementing this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for controlling a computer entity to participate in a peer to peer network of a plurality of computer entities comprises, for each computer entity, operating a peer to peer protocol for enabling the computer entity to utilise resources of at least one other computer entity of the network, and for enabling at least one other computer entity of the network to utilise resources of the computer entity. Each computer entity is arranged to automatically operate a process for managing at least one other computer entity in the network, whenever the computer entity takes part in the peer to peer network using the peer to peer protocol.