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The Two Ways to Organize Networks
The Two Ways to Organize Networks
Networks can be organized in two fundamentally different ways. Client-Server: one powerful central server provides services (files, applications, authentication) to many client computers - like a restaurant where waiters (clients) take orders from customers and fetch food from the kitchen (server). Peer-to-Peer (P2P): all computers are equal - they can BOTH request AND provide resources - like a potluck dinner where everyone brings food and everyone takes food. Schools and businesses use client-server. File sharing (BitTorrent) uses P2P!
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Exam Tips - Client-Server vs P2P
Most common exam questions:
- "What is client-server?" → Central server provides services to client computers
- "Advantage of client-server?" → Central security/backups/management
- "Disadvantage of client-server?" → Server = single point of failure / expensive
- "What is P2P?" → All computers equal - share resources directly (no server)
- "Advantage of P2P?" → No single point of failure / cheap (no server needed)
- "Disadvantage of P2P?" → No central security/backups / hard to manage
- "Why do schools use client-server?" → Central accounts (login anywhere) / central backups / easy management
Key facts to memorize:
| Aspect | Client-Server | P2P |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Central server + clients | All equal (peers) |
| Security | Centralized (easy) | Decentralized (hard) |
| Cost | Expensive (server) | Cheap (no server) |
| Failure | Server = single point | No single point |
Common mistakes to avoid:
- Forgetting "central" when explaining client-server benefits (central security, central backups)
- Not mentioning server = single point of failure (KEY disadvantage!)
- Thinking P2P means "no server at all anywhere" - P2P means no DEDICATED server
- Missing that P2P computers are BOTH client AND server
Perfect exam answer:
"Explain why a school should use client-server networking" (4 marks):
Central user accounts - students can log in from any computer (1 mark).
Central security - access controls managed in one place (1 mark).
Central backups - all student work backed up to server (1 mark).
Easy management - IT staff can manage from server (1 mark).
Now try it yourself
Quiz · Question 1 of 16
In a client-server network, what is the role of the server?
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