The eDonkey Network is a peer-to-peer file sharing system that allows users to share and download files over the internet. It was developed in the early 2000s and became popular for its ability to handle large files and support various file types. Users connect to the network using eDonkey client software, which facilitates the sharing process. The eDonkey Network operates on a decentralized model, meaning that files are distributed across multiple users rather than stored on a single server. This system enhances download speeds and reliability, as users can download parts of files from different sources simultaneously. It is often associated with other file-sharing protocols like Overnet and ED2K.