A special computer on a network that is not used as a workstation but is a computer dedicated to serving files and managing various other services
Client-server model
A network that uses a server
Peer-to-peer model
A network that does not use a server
Client-server model
1. Server controls access and security to shared file store
2. Server can manage access to the internet
3. Server can manage printing jobs
4. Server can provide email services
5. Server can be responsible for backing up data
Client-server model
Easier to manage security of files
Easy to take backups of shared data
Easier to install software updates across network
Client-server model
Can be expensive to set up and maintain
Requires IT specialism
Server is a single point of failure
Peer
The computer on a peer-to-peer network, equal to all other peers
Peer-to-peer model
1. Peers serve their own files to each other
2. Each peer is responsible for its own security and backups
3. Peers usually have their own printers
Peer-to-peer model
Very easy to maintain
No dependency on single central server or device
Cheaper to set up
Peer-to-peer model
Network is generally less secure
Users responsible for managing own backups
Difficult to maintain well-ordered file store
Computers in a peer-to-peer network are connected directly to each other, even though the actual physical connections may be very separate and different from the logical layout
