Network hardest paper 1

• Advantages of a Client-Server network

  • Allows for improved scalability more clients can be easily added
  • Network can be controlled centrally to easily back up and update software
  • Hardware, software and resources can be shared like printers.
• Disadvantages of a client-server network

  • IT Technicians may be required to maintain the network
  • If a fault occurs in the server then the whole network stops
  • Malware such as viruses can spread across the network
• Advantages of a Peer - Peer Network

  • Computers are independent
  • There is no server
  • Perfect for quickly sharing files between system
• Advantages of a Star Topology

  • Improved security data can be sent directly to and from the switch
  • New systems can be attached directly to the central system so the network doesn't need to shut down
  • Transfer speeds are general fast since there are minimum network collisions
• Disadvantages of a Star Topology

  • Extra hardware the switch is required to be purchased installed and maintained
  • If the central system fails then the whole network will be unusable until the error is fixed
• Advantages of a Mesh topology

  • If one cable fails then data packets can take an alternative route
  • Because of the large number of connections mesh topology can usually withstand large amount of data traffic
  • New systems can be added without disrupting the entire topology
• Disadvantages of a Mesh topology

  • Expensive to install and maintain large amount of cables
  • Redundant cabling should be avoided cables that are not needed during the connection