This deep dive covers Real-World Scenario: Why Schools Use Client-Server 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 6 of 10 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Real-World Scenario: Why Schools Use Client-Server
Imagine a school with 1000 students and 50 teachers - why client-server?
Central User Accounts:
- Student logs in with username/password from ANY school computer
- Server authenticates: "Yes, this is StudentA, allow access"
- Student's files appear - stored on central file server
- Works in Lab 1 Monday, Lab 2 Tuesday - same files available!
- P2P problem: Files stuck on specific computer - can't access from other machines
Central Security:
- IT staff manage all permissions from server: "Year 7 can't access Year 11 files"
- Block inappropriate websites centrally
- Install security updates on server - affects all 1000 computers
- P2P problem: Must configure security on EACH of 1000 computers separately!
Central Backups:
- School's file server automatically backed up every night
- Student accidentally deletes coursework? IT restores from backup
- All 1000 students' work safe on central server
- P2P problem: Students must remember to back up own files (they won't!)
The Cost Trade-off:
School pays £20,000 for powerful server. But the benefits (security, backups, management) are worth it for 1000 users. P2P would be chaos!
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]