Section 6 Chapter 33 - Client Server and Peer to Peer Flashcards
Client Server Model
One or more computers known as clients are connected to the central computer called the server. The clients may hold some resources such as software and can access resources held on the server. Clients can issue requests to the server for services such as email, file storage and printing
File server
Holds and manages data for all the clients
Print server
Manages print requests
Web server
Manages requests to access the Web
Mail server
Manages the mail system
Database server
Manages database applications
Client
A computer which can request services or resources from the server
Sever
A powerful computer which provides services and resources to the clients
How the server can ‘become a client’
If one of its own clients issues a request for something such as a web page, it may need to pass the message on to another server
Advantages of a client server network (3)
- Security is good as all the files are stored on a central computer
- Backups are done centrally
- Data and other resources can be shared
Disadvantages of a client server network (2)
- It is expensive to install and manage
- Professional IT staff are needed to maintain it
Peer-to-peer networking
There is no central server and individual computers are directly connected to each other either locally or over a wide area network (WAN)
Advantages of peer-to-peer (3)
- Cheap to set up
- Enables sharing of resources
- Easy to maintain
Legitimate use of peer-to-peer
On demand video sites where thousands of people try to watch a show use peer to peer to alleviate the burden on their servers
Illegitimate use of peer-to-peer
Piracy. It is almost impossible to track illegal downloads that are done peer-to-peer (torrenting)
