Peer-to-Peer & Client-Server Networks (Edexcel IGCSE ICT)
Revision Note
Written by: Robert Hampton
Reviewed by: James Woodhouse
Peer-to-peer networks
What is a peer-to-peer network?
A peer is a computer on a network which is equal to all other computers
Each peer on the network
Often have their own printer attached
Will provide access to their own files
Is responsible for their own backups
Is responsible for their own security
Is responsible for carrying out their own backups
A network with no server providing services is a peer-to-peer network
Most homes will have a peer-to-peer network model
Advantages | Disadvantages |
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Examiner Tips and Tricks
If you are asked about a peer-to-peer network, just think about how your home network is set up and how each computer is responsible for itself, there is no one computer in charge of all of the others.
Client-server networks
What is a client-server network?
A client is a computer on the network, these connect to the server via a switch
A server is a computer on a network which often has a single purpose, for example
Managing access to the Internet
Managing printing
Providing email services
Providing backups
Controlling security
Servers are often more powerful than the client machines
Servers are seen as more significant than the client machines and can require specialist hardware and software
A network which uses a server is called a client-server model
Most companies, organisations and schools will use a client-server network model
Advantages | Disadvantages |
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Worked Example
Describe two drawbacks of using a peer‑to-peer network
[4]
Answer
Any two descriptions from:
No control of user access rights [1] reduces security [1]
No centralised administration [1] means no remote updates [1]
No centralised backup [1] so each client has to be backed up separately [1]
…so individual backup devices need to be used on each device [1] costing more [1]
No shared software [1] meaning more installs [1]
No shared storage / file access [1] increasing need for storage on each device / access from anywhere [1]
No roaming profiles [1] meaning users cannot ‘hot-desk’ [1]
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