Client-server and peer to peer

Client-server and peer to peer.

1.3.3 Networks

Networks — Note 5 of 5

Candidates need to understand the difference between a client-server and peer-to-peer network. Candidates need to know the benefits and drawbacks of each type of network and be able to recommend one for a given scenario.

What you need to know

In a client-server network, central servers provide services to clients; in a peer-to-peer network, all devices have equal status and share resources directly. You need to compare the two and recommend one for a given scenario.

What to know

Client-server benefits: central management of security, user accounts and backups; files are in one place; scales well for large organisations.
Client-server drawbacks: servers are expensive and need specialist staff; if a server fails, its services are unavailable to all clients; servers can become bottlenecks.
P2P benefits: cheap and easy to set up; no single point of failure; popular files can be downloaded from many peers at once, spreading the load.
P2P drawbacks: no central backup or security management; files may be duplicated or hard to find; performance depends on individual peers; often associated with illegal file sharing.

Key terms

Client-server network: One or more central servers provide services (files, e-mail, web pages, printing) and clients request them.
Peer-to-peer (P2P) network: Every computer has equal status and can act as both client and server, sharing files and resources directly with others.

Exam technique

Tip:Justify recommendations in context, e.g. 'client-server for the school because the technician can manage all user accounts and back up work centrally'.

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