Networks 4- Network models (client-server etc)

Question 1

What is the client-server model?

Answer 1

One server with many devices connected (the clients)

The client computers and server communicate with each other through the local network or via the internet.
The server is used to provide services and resources to the client computers.

Question 2

What are client-server models usually used for?

Answer 2

web services, games hosting and private networks in organisations.

Question 3

What do the clients need to access the services?

Answer 3

**authorised access (username +password)
**levels of accessibility…. etc….

Question 4

What are some advantages of client-server

Answer 4

**centralised control which means that the control of all connected devices is easier.this makes it good for schools
**enhanced security- implemented on the server which protects unauthorised access
**easier maintenance

Question 5

What are some disadvantages of client-server

Answer 5

**if the server fails, all clients on the network also suffer (dependence on server)
**if there are a lot of clients it can result in network traffic congestion (slow system)
**high costs for implementation

Question 6

What is the thin client model?

Answer 6

*A variation of the client-server model.
*The server is still responsible for storing and managing data and processing requests, but the client devices are much simpler
*They do not have local storage such as hard drives and have a ‘thinned’ version of the operating system.

Question 7

What are some advantages of the thin client model?

Answer 7

*Reduced hardware costs-thin clients are. Low powered so cheap to buy.
*Enhanced security
*Simpler maintenance

Question 8

What are some disadvantages of the thin client model?

Answer 8

*Dependence on the server
*Increased network traffic
*Performance issues

Question 9

What is the peer-to-peer model?

Answer 9

A peer-to-peer network does not involve the use of a central server, so each computer acts as a server for the files it stores
All computers have the same role on the network, they are all ‘peers’ of each other.

Question 10

What are some advantages of the peer-to-peer model?

Answer 10

*Lower setup costs- no need for a server
* Improved fault tolerance- no central point of failure
* Reduced network traffic- data is direct between devices

Question 11

What are some disadvantages of peer-to-peer

Answer 11

*Reduced security – devices are responsible for storing and protecting their own data.
*Time consuming management – all maintenance will need to be done individually on each, including backups, updates & security patches.
*Performance issues – as the number of devices on the network increases, there may be a decline in performance as devices become overloaded.