What is Peer-to-Peer & Client-Server Networks? Difference Between Peer-to-Peer & Client-Server Networks

BROAD NETWORK CATEGORIES

There are two broad network categories:-
1. Peer-to-Peer Networks
2. Client-Server Networks

1.Peer-to-Peer Networks:- Peer-to-Peer (P2P) networks involve two or more computers pooling individual resources such as disk drives.each computer acts as both the client and the server.There computers can directly communicate with the other computers. On a peer-to-peer network, for example, a scanner on one computer can be used by any other computer on the network.
Peer-to-peer networks are cheap to set up.its connection type can be by using Ethernet cable or a Wi-Fi router. 

Peer-to-Peer & Client-Server Networks

2.Client-Server Networks:- this involves multiple client servers which are connected to at least central server on a network where, applications are installed.
Clients needs a access to those server resources, they can access them only from server.Servers often have private user directories for special users(Example, Windows has work folders special users).Client-Server networks tend to have faster access speeds because of the large number of clients they are designed to support.

The clients are also allowed to function as workstations without sharing any resources network.It is easier to upgrade software applications and files because it held on a single Server computer.System-wide services can be provided through the server software.
Security is assured in this model of network, as the server controls access and the permission to the resources.

Peer-to-Peer & Client-Server Networks

           

Difference between Peer-to-Peer(P2P) & Client-Server Networks:-

	P2P Network	Client-Server
Organization size	Limited number of       workstations.	Large number of      workstations.
User type	Local users created        on PCs	Centralized users       are created on  server by admin
Security	Low, Individual            users are              responsible for             security	High, Network & Server administrator   is responsible for           security
Network Traffic	Limited number of             users	Supports large         number of users
Cost	Inexpensive	Expensive
Uses Types	Home, small             business, etc.	Colleges, hospitals or large corporations
Data Flow	User1-------User2	User1-server-User2