PROJECT

                                                                                   NETWORK ARCHITECTURE

   (classification of network) (network architecture) (internet overview) (internet services)

_{3.1.2 Network Architecture}
Learning Outcomes : Explain types of network architecture. Peer-to-peer Client-Server



                                    ^PEER-TO-PEER

^{*Advantages of a peer-to-peer network:}
^{-Less startup cost to setup the network architecture - No need for a server.}
^{-Easy
to Setup up - An operating system (such as Windows XP) already in place
may only need to be reconfigured for peer-to-peer operations.}
^{*Disadvantages of a peer-to-peer network:}
^{-Decentralized - No central repository for files and applications.}
^{-Less Security - Does not provide the security available on a client/server network}

^{CLIENT SERVER

Client-server network:

*Network in which one or more computers act as a server, and the other
computers (clients) on the network request services from the server.}^{Computers connected together to create a network which fall into two categories: clients (workstations) and servers.}

The Client	The Server
Computer on a network that requests resources from the server. Also called a workstation.	Computer that controls access to the hardware, software, and other resources on a network, and provides a centralized storage area for programs, data, and information. Note: Server can be a mainframe computer used in a network environment.

~Servers are special, powerful computers that provide ‘services’ to the client computers on the network.

These services might include:
Providing a central, common file storage area
Sharing hardware such as printers
Controlling who can or can’t have access the network
Sharing Internet connections

An architecture in which the user's PC (the client) is the requesting machine, and the server is the supplying machine, both of which are connected via a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet.


                             Advantages of a Client/Server

*Centralized - Resources and data security are controlled through the server.
*Scalability - Any or all elements can be replaced individually as needs increase.
*Flexibility - New technology can be easily integrated into system.
*Interoperability - All components (client/network/server) work together.
*Accessibility - Server can be accessed remotely and across multiple platforms

                                                                         Disadvantages of a Client/Server

* 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

Network Attribute	Peer-to-peer	Client/Server
Resource access	Distributed among many desktop/client computers; makes access to resources more complex	Centralized on one or more servers; streamlines access to resources
Security	Users control their own shared resources and might have several sets of ID to access resources	Security is managed centrally, and users have a single sets of ID for all shared resources
Performance	Desktop OS not tuned for resources sharing	Server OS tuned for resources sharing