FriendNet uses servers to coordinate file sharing between users, as well as providing room-wide search.
Each server has its own rooms and accounts which are fully managed by the operator.
Clients can be connected to multiple servers at once, and hosting independent servers is easy. So while the FriendNet depends on servers, it is functionally decentralized.
The requirements for hosting a server are minimal, both CPU- and memory-wise. A server can easily be hosted on an old low-spec computer or a Raspberry Pi.
It is recommended that the server has access to a fast connection, as clients that cannot open ports for P2P connections will use the server as a proxy fallback.
Next: Setup Guide