Client-Server & peer to peer
Define a 'Client-server' network
A network where all devices are connected to a central server via a switch. The clients send requests to the server, then the server processes the requests and return it back to the user
Define a 'Peer to Peer' network
A network where each device has equal responsibilities. Devices are logically connected to each other
Give advantages using client-server networks
Advantages: - Clients can access their work on any device in the network
- It's easier to manage file security
- Easier to install software updates on each computer
Give disadvantages using client-server networks
- Requires IT specialists to maintain the network
- More expensive
- If the server shuts down, users won't be able to access files
Give advantages of using peer to peer networks
- It's easiy to manage/maintain
- It is a lot cheaper to set up
- No expensive hardware is required
- Doesn't depend on a single devce
- No specialist staff are needed
Give disadvantages of using peer to peer networks
- The network is less secure as each peer needs to set up their own security
- Each peer needs to manage their own backups
- Can be difficult to maintain well ordered files