topology and network characteristics

Question 1

P2P networks

Answer 1

This type of network doesn’t use a centralised structure like the client server, all of the machines are equal therefore each machine have to be manually updated and maintained.

• share data/information across a shared network without having to be connected to a server like a client server
• every machine is equal there is no admin overlooking the machines, this means they have to be manually updated and backed up, this also increases security threats as the structure is not centralised

adv-easy file sharing, reduced costs because there is no need to invest in a separate computer when setting up P2P

desadv- less control decentralised so less lack of control, slower performances, no backups the user is responsible, lower security

Question 2

client servers

Answer 2

it has centralised control, all information and data is stored in a single location,this means all updating resources can be done in one place. It’s therefore more convenient that this is controlled by a network admin.

adv- more secure due to centralised control, everything is managed and overseen by the server admin, you can allocate access rights to users

diadv: over reliance on the server so risk of being overloaded lead to congestion on the network, maintenance needed its more expensive, if a server fails then requests from client cant be fulfilled

Question 3

bus network

Answer 3

Each computer and network device is connected to a single cable called the backbone, this line has to be free for a transmission to be sent. if there is 2 or more computers will start transmitting at the same time a collision will occur, it uses CSMA it states all computers must sense the carrier

adv-
adding a new device is easier
- it is cheaper in cabling terms
- network travels in both directions
-transmissions are more likely to be read as its received by all devices 

disvd-
more traffic means there will be more collisions and performance will deteriorate,
- hard to troubleshoot, damaged cable results on network failure
-not used for large networks

Question 4

star network

Answer 4

the most common type of network, the node is generally the switch so all the computer communicate through it, it has a central connection point therefore it has centralised control like a client network
-all computers communicate through a central hub/server

adv-it’s more fault tolerant, as a network manager knows the problem is so it’s easy to fix

• its load tolerant,you can add remove network without having to AFFECT THE NETWORK
• due to centralised nature so detecting problems is easier

disvd-the initial setup cost is quite high because of extra hubs/switches required

• if you want to add more nodes or switches you need more cables so it is costly
• if the central switch/hub fails then it leads to failure of the entire network
• also number of nodes can be added and performance and capacity depend on the capacity of the central node:switch,hub