Client server and peer to peer networks
client server model
a server controls access and security to one shared file storage
a server manages access to the internet
a server manages printing jobs
a server provides email services
a server runs a backup of data
a client makes requests to the server for data and connections
client server model advantages
easier to manage security files
easier to take backups of all shared data
easier to install software updates on all computers
client server model disadvantages
can be expensive to set up and maintain
requires IT specialists to maintain
the server is a single point of failure
users will lose access if the server fails
peer to peer model
a peer is a computer on a network and is equal to all other peers
peers serve their own files to each other
each peer is responsible for its own security
each peer is responsible for its own backup
peers usually have their own printers
you can send print jobs to another peer to process but that peer would need to be switched on in order to communicate with the connected printer
peer to peer model advantages
very easy to maintain
specialist staff are mot required
no dependency on a single computer
cheaper to set up
no expensive hardware required
peer to peer model disadvantages
the network is less secure
the users will need to manage their own backups
can be difficult to maintain a well ordered file store