1. Client-Server & Peer-to-Peer Networks
Networking Computers
Client-Server & Peer-to-Peer Networks

2. Learning Objectives: By the end of this topic you should be able to:
describe client-server and peer-to-peer networks
give advantages and disadvantages of each type;

3. What is a network?

4. What is a network? a group of computers connected together
in order to share resources

5. What is a network? a group of computers connected together
in order to share resources
a computer not connected to any other is a s****d-a***e computer

6. What is a network? a group of computers connected together
in order to share resources
a computer not connected to any other is a stand-alone computer

7. Client-Server Network

8. Client-Server Network
usually has a powerful, controlling server computer
controls the printers, storage, security …
client computers are connected to the server via a switch
or other network communication device
can be a number of servers:
file server, application server, mail server, proxy server, print server, back-up server

9. Advantages of a Client-Server Network
users can log on at any client computer
data files, printers, software available anywhere
network operations can be handled centrally at the server:
backup, software roll-out, software updates, anti-virus
no need for user to be involved
security handled centrally
in a structured manner
data secure
audit logs kept

10. Disdvantages of a Client-Server Network
cost
server computers are powerful & expensive
network hardware required (hubs, switches, routers …..)
technician support essential for maintenance
reliance on server & network infrastructure
if server fails then centrally held data available
speed of operation
more users = slower access to resources

11. Peer-to-Peer Network

12. Peer-to-Peer Network all computers have equal status
no computer has a server role
each computer may have resources that others need
linking home (or small business) computers together
to share files or a printer
online P2P networks exist
Limewire/Bitorrent allow file sharing

13. Advantages of a Peer-to-Peer Network
no reliance on central server
if computer fails others are not badly affected
simple to set up
useful for temporary, ad-hoc networking
little technical support required - lower cost
network traffic is minimal
most resources provided by each computer

14. Disadvantages of a Peer-to-Peer Network
no centralised management of resources
each user is responsible for their own backup
anti-virus updates performed by each user
required software & data not available on every computer
user has to use the same computer every time
security is ad-hoc
sensitive files may be accessible to all users
required printer not available

15. Client-Server v Peer-to-Peer