| Peer-to-peer Architecture | Client-Server Architecture |
Diagram
|  |  |
| Definition | Network model in which all
computers can function as clients or servers as needed, and there's no
centralized control over network resources. | Network in which one or
more computers act as a server, and the other computers (clients) on
the network request services from the server. |
| Advantages | - Less startup cost to set up the network architecture as there is no need for a server.
- Easy to install and configure for the computers in the network.
- When a peer fails it will not affect other peers so the network is reliable.
| - Centralised: Resources and data security are controlled through the server.
- Scalability: adding or removing resources in the server can easily be done by configuring the server.
- Accesibility: server can be accessed remotely and across multiple platforms including Windows, Linux and Mac OS.
|
| Disadvantages | - Decentralised: No central repository for files and applications.
- Less security: Does not provide the security available on a client/server network.
- Every user is taking care of his/her own machine.
| - Expense: Requires initial investment in dedicated server.
- Maintenance: Large networkks will require a staff to ensure efficient operation.
- Dependence: When server goes down, operations will cease across the network.
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