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client-server and peer-to-peer networks
client-server and peer-to-peer networks
client-server networks
A client-server network is managed by a server. The devices connected to the server are clients.
Files and software are usually stored centrally on the server rather than on individual client devices.
Clients send requests to the server e.g asking for data and the request is processed by the server and it responds.
The server stores user profiles, passwords and access information - it may request a password before fulfilling certain requests or deny requests to users without the right access level.
Most uses of the internet work on a client-server relationship e.g websites are hosted on web servers. Web browsers are client programs which send requests to web servers. web servers fulfil requests for thousands of clients.
peer-to-peer networks
peer-to-peer networks don't use servers - all devices are equal connecting to each other without a server.
you store files on individual devices and share them with others.
you can use at home to share files between devices, or connect devices to a printer.
pros and cons of client-server networks
cons
expensive to set up and needs IT specialists to maintain the network and server.
server dependence - if the server goes down all clients lise access to their work.
the server may become overloaded if too many clients are accessing it at once.
pros
easier to keep track of files as they are stored centrally.
easier to perform back-ups
easier to install and update software.
easier to manage network security
servers are reliable and are always on.
pros and cons of peer-to-peer networks
cons
devices need their updates and security installed individually. Backups are complicated.
copying files between devices creates duplicates - lose track of where everything is.
pros
easy to maintain - don't need experts or expensive hardware.
no dependence on server - if one device fails the whole network isn't lost.