A method for managing communication in a peer-to-peer network in which overlay information is updated on-demand such that neighboring node information is updated at least periodically and other overlay information is updated on-demand (from standard communications). For example, in one aspect, the network includes a plurality of nodes, and the method includes looking up at least one neighboring node, sending a joining message from a joining node to the neighboring node, the joining message including information relating to the joining node, joining the joining node to the network by updating each neighboring node exclusive of any other nodes of the plurality of nodes, sending reply messages from each neighboring node to the joining node, and updating the joining node with information from each neighboring node, exclusive of any other nodes of the plurality of nodes.