Client-Server
What is a client-server network?
- Powerful and reliable server computers control the network and serve the clients with services such as files, email, web access, etc.
- Clients connect to the servers to access network services
- In this setup, the server hosts, delivers and manages most of the resources and services to be consumed by the clients
| Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
| Easier central management | Single point of failure - if the server goes down, services could be unavailable |
| Scalability: new clients can be added easily | It can be expensive to set up and maintain - often need dedicated teams of people to maintain them |
| Higher reliability as resources are managed centrally |
- Use case: larger organisations where centralised control is needed, and reliability and security are paramount
Client computers connected to different servers
When to use a client-server network
- The choice between client-server and peer-to-peer depends on the specific needs and resources of the network in question
- Security, cost, ease of setup, and maintenance requirements should be considered
Peer-to-Peer
What is a peer-to-peer network?
- This is the simplest type of network
- In this setup, all computers in the network share equal responsibility, and there is no central server
- All machines have equal status
- Each machine is the responsibility of that machine’s user in terms of security, backup, etc.
- Data is often spread around the network, with each user being responsible for their data
| Benefits | Drawbacks |
|---|---|
| Easy to set up and less expensive than client-server as no administrative staff or expensive networking equipment is needed | Lack of central control can lead to security issues and vulnerabilities |
| No dependency on a central server | Not suitable for large networks as it can have performance issues |
| Data can be shared directly between systems without the need for a central server |
- Use cases: home networks, small businesses, or for specific applications like file sharing
Peer to peer network example setup