Topic 4

• Role of computers in client-server and peer-to-peer networks:

  • Computers play a crucial role in both client-server and peer-to-peer networks
  • In client-server networks, there is a client computer and a server
  • The server provides services or resources required by clients
  • In peer-to-peer networks, there is no central server
• Advantages and disadvantages of client-server and peer-to-peer networks:

  • Client-server networks have centralized backup, security control, and scalability
  • Peer-to-peer networks are easier to set up, do not require dedicated server equipment, and allow direct communication between computers
  • Disadvantages of peer-to-peer networks include increased risk of viruses, lack of centralized data backup, and difficulty in organizing files
• Meaning of hosting:

  • Web hosting is a service offered by companies to host web pages and files for websites
  • Hosting service providers may offer database servers and backup services
• Description of the Cloud:

  • The 'Cloud' refers to services delivered over the Internet
  • Users connected to any Internet-enabled computer can access these services
  • Examples of Cloud Computing applications include Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox
• Cloud Computing applications include examples like Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox
• Cloud-based servers enable access to software on demand in Software as a Service (SaaS)
• Software as a Service (SaaS) is typically used on a subscription basis and doesn't need to be installed on a local machine
• Advantages of cloud computing include accessing data and applications from anywhere at any time, not needing a powerful computer with a huge hard drive, and having data backed up by the service provider
• Disadvantages of cloud computing include personal data being stored on another company's servers, service becoming unusable if the Internet connection is lost, and potential issues with slow Internet connections affecting service quality
• Transmission media for connecting computers include copper cable, fibre optics, and Wi-Fi
• Comparison of media types:

  Copper cable:

  • Advantages: tried and trusted technology, relatively inexpensive
  • Disadvantages: signal affected by electric and magnetic fields, low bandwidth, heavy cables

  Fibre optics:

  • Advantages: very fast data transmission, low loss of signal over distance, not affected by magnetic or electric fields
  • Disadvantages: high investment cost, need for expensive optical transmitters and receivers

  Wireless transmission:

  • Advantages: no need for trailing wires, allows devices to be used anywhere, easier to add devices to a network
  • Disadvantages: data transmission rate less than wired systems, signal can be blocked by objects or walls, increased security issues
• Factors affecting network performance include bandwidth, latency, and error rate/collisions
• Bandwidth is the amount of data that can be carried through a connection at a time, similar to the amount of water a water pipe can carry
• Latency is the length of time a packet of information takes to travel through the network, different from bandwidth which is how many packets of information can travel through per second