Client/Server and Peer to Peer National 4/5 Computing Science
Lesson aims By the end of this lesson you will be able to: Describe what a peer to peer network is Describe what a client server network is Discuss the differences between them
Client and Server Networks You are working on a client and server network Your machine is a CLIENT Your documents are stored and internet access is managed through the schools SERVER You connect to a server to use its resources This can vary depending on the server Might just be to store files…
A sample Client Server network Web Server E-mail Server Client Client File Server
What can a server do? Servers can perform multiple roles – some are They can run email servers They can store files Control Internet Access Host Web Sites Control printing for multiple computers
Peer to Peer Networks You can run a peer to peer network A peer to peer network is where each computer shares the functions/files of a network. Peer to peer networks have advantages: Each computer has its own backing storage so does not rely on an expensive server. No expensive server hardware or software to purchase No complex server software to setup
Uses of Peer to Peer Networks Distributed downloading Where instead of downloading from one central location you download pieces of a file from multiple machines Can be used for legal AND illegal purposes The technology is legal! The files being shared may not be!