BASIC CONCEPT OF NEWORK
NETWORK ARCHITECHURE
NETWORK TOPOLOGY


Types of Architectures

Peer to peer architecture

Client-server architecture




Diagram











Definition

A 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 as the clients on the network request services from the server.



Advantages
  • Less startup cost to setup the network architechure because there is no server required.
  • 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.
  • Centralized- Resources and data security are controlled through the server.
  • Scalability- adding or removing resources in the network can be easily done by configuring the server.
  • Better management of files- All files are stored in the server.



Disadvantage
  • Decentralized- 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 on his/her own machine.
  • Expense- Requires initial investment in dedicated server.
  • Maintenance- Large networks will require a staff to ensure efficient operation.
  • Dependence- When server goes down, operations will cease across the network.