M3Q19: Client/Server & Peer-to-Peer

Question 1

Peer-to-Peer networks have a dedicated, centralized server for clients to connect to.

A. True
B. False

Answer 1

B. False

Explanation: In Peer-to-Peer networks all hosts can act as both a client and a server, so there is no dedicated or centralized single server for the clients to connect to. Instead, the hosts are all peers to one another and connect to each other to access services and resources.

Question 2

Modern networks must be based on either Client/Server or Peer-to-Peer, but can never be both.

A. True
B. False

Answer 2

B. False

Explanation: In modern networks both the Client/Server and Peer-to-Peer models are used. Some network services and applications require a dedicated and centralized server, while other services and resources can be accessed directly from other hosts (peers) on the network.

Question 3

Remote sharing applications use protocols such as BitTorrent to create a Peer-to-Peer network amongst other computers running the same software.

A. True
B. False

Answer 3

A. True

Explanation: BitTorrent is an example of a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file sharing protocol which allows any computer with the BitTorrent capable software installed to join the Peer-to-Peer network and share files with the other peers (even over the internet). These types of applications are regarded as highly unsafe for use in corporate networks due to their capacity for transmitting malware and distributing company data into the public domain without the user’s knowledge.