Definition of Network Architecture:
The way network are designed to communicate.
Types of Network Architectures:
>Peer
to peer network architecture
Definition: All computers can function as clients or servers as needed, and there’s no centralized control over network resources.
|
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
|
1.
Less
startup cost to setup the network architecture – no need for a server. 2.
Easy to
install and configure for the computers in the network. 3.
When a
peer fails it will not affect other peers so the network is reliable. |
1.
Decentralized
– no central repository for files and application. 2.
Less security
– does not provide the security available on a client/server network. 3.
Every
user is taking care her own machine. |
>Client
Server network architecture
Definition: one or more computers acts as a server, and the other computers (clients) on the network request services from the server.
|
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
|
1.
Centralized
–resources and data security are controlled through the server. 2.
Better
management of files – all files are stored in the server. 3.
Scalability
– adding or removing resources in the network can be easily done by
configuring the server. |
1.
Expense
– requires initial investment in dedicated server. 2.
Maintenance
– large networks will require a staff to ensure efficient opreration. 3.
Dependence
– when server goes down, operation will cease across the network. |
