Client Server & Peer to Peer Networks

• Architecture

  The layout or organisation of a network
• Network architectures

  • Client-server
  • Peer-to-peer
• Client-server network

  • Has a central server
  • Server stores and serves files/resources to users
  • Server can manage printing, internet access, email, backups
• Peer-to-peer network


  • No central server
  • Files stored on individual workstations
  • Users access files directly from workstations
  • Maximum 10 workstations
• Client-server network

  Requires users to log in with username and password for authentication
• Client-server network


  Allows users to access their files from any workstation
• Client-server network

  Allows centralised backups and software updates
• Client-server network

  • Requires specialist knowledge and staff to set up and maintain
  • More expensive than peer-to-peer
• Client-server network

  If server is unavailable, users cannot access files or resources
• Peer-to-peer network

  • Users do not need to log in
  • Security is based on password protection of shared files/folders
• Peer-to-peer network


  If one workstation is unavailable, others can still access their own files
• Peer-to-peer network

  Backups and software updates must be done individually on each workstation
• Peer-to-peer network


  • Easier to set up than client-server
  • Does not require specialist staff