This comparison covers Client-Server vs Peer-to-Peer - Direct Comparison within Client-Server & Peer-to-Peer for GCSE Computer Science. Revise Client-Server & Peer-to-Peer in 3.5 Fundamentals of Computer Networks for GCSE Computer Science with 16 exam-style questions and 18 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 5 of 10 in this topic. Use this comparison to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Client-Server vs Peer-to-Peer - Direct Comparison
| Aspect | Client-Server | Peer-to-Peer (P2P) |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Central server provides services to clients | All computers equal - share directly |
| Central Server? | YES - one or more powerful servers | NO - no dedicated server |
| Role | Clients request, server provides | Each computer is BOTH client AND server |
| Security | Central - managed on server | Decentralized - each computer manages own |
| Backups | Central - all data backed up from server | No central backups - users responsible |
| Management | Easy - centralized control from server | Hard - each computer managed separately |
| Single Point of Failure? | YES - server failure = all services down | NO - network continues if one peer fails |
| Cost | Expensive - powerful server hardware needed | Cheap - no dedicated server required |
| Setup | Complex - requires expertise | Simple - easy to set up |
| Performance | Consistent - powerful server | Variable - depends on peer computers |
| Scalability | Server can become bottleneck | More peers = more capacity |
| Best For | Schools, offices, large organizations | Small networks, file sharing, home use |
| Examples | School network, web browsing, email | Home file sharing, BitTorrent, LAN gaming |
Practice questions for Client-Server & Peer-to-Peer
In a client-server network, what is the role of the server?
State three advantages of using a client-server network over a peer-to-peer network. [3 marks]