3.04 Client-server and peer-to-peer networks

Question 1

What is a client-server network made up of?

Answer 1

A server and clients.

It is managed by a server and the devices that are connected to it are called clients

Question 2

Where are files stored in a client-server network?

Answer 2

Files and software stored centrally on a server rather than on client devices

Question 3

What is the client-server relationship?

Answer 3

Clients send requests to the swerver (e.g. asking for data).

The server process the request and responds accordingly

Question 4

Where are user profiles and passwords stored in a client-server network?

Answer 4

Server stored user profiles, passwords and access information, and can fulfil or deny requests depending on whether the client has the correct access level

Question 5

Are most internet uses client-server or peer-to-peer? Give an example.

Answer 5

Most internet uses are based on client-server relationships

E.g. websites are hosted on web servers, and web browsers are client programs that send requests to web servers. Web servers then fulfil the requests by sending web pages for multiple clients

Question 6

List the pros of client-server networks (five)

Answer 6

1. Easier to keep track of files, as stored centrally
2. Easier to perform backups
3. Easier to install and update software
4. Easier to manage network security (e.g. user access levels and anti-malware software)
5. Servers are reliable and always on

Question 7

List the cons of client-server networks (three)

Answer 7

1. Expensive to set up and needs IT specialists to maintain the network and server
2. Server dependence: if the server goes down all clients lose access to their files
3. Overload: serve can become overloaded if too many clients access it at once

Question 8

What is a peer-to-peer network?

Answer 8

In P2P networks, all devices are equal and connect directly without a server

Files are stored on individual devices and can be shared with others

Question 9

Give examples of P2P networks

Answer 9

At home to share files between devices or to connect devices to a printer

Cryptocurrency exchanges

File-sharing (often used for sharing copyrighted material illegally)

Question 10

List the pros of a P2P network (two)

Answer 10

1. Easy to maintain - no expertise or expensive hardware needed
2. No server dependence - if one device fails the whole network isn’t lost

Question 11

List the cons of a P2P network (four)

Answer 11

1. No centralised management - updates need to be installed individually, and back-ups are more complicated
2. Duplication: copying files between devices creates duplicates and it’s easy to lost track of which files are up to date
3. P2P machines are less reliable than servers ad data may be lost if one fails
4. Machines are prone to slowing down when other devices access them