Client-Server and Peer-to-Peer

Client-Server and Peer-to-Peer

1. Client-server network

   • File servers
     • Computers which control access
     • Manage the network
   • Clients
     • Computers which the users work
   • Users have to log in
     • In order to access programs and data
   • Servers are responsible for network security
     • Allocate usernames and passwords to users
       • Different users - different permissions
   • All files are held on the servers
     • Can be backed up centrally

2. Peer-to-peer network

   • No server to manage the network
     • All equal
       • Can communicate with each over directly w/o a server
   • Each client can act as a server
     • Other clients can share data and printers
   • Security is distributed
     • Each user can grant rights to others and allocate passwords
   • Data is stored on each client
   • Each user is responsible for backing up each client