63. OCR A Level (H046-H446) SLR11 - 1.3 Client server & peer to peer

Summary

This video explores the differences between client-server and peer-to-peer network models. In a client-server setup, a central server manages data, security, and services, providing easier management and backups but requiring specialized maintenance. Peer-to-peer networks, on the other hand, involve equal devices (peers) sharing resources directly, offering cost-effective, decentralized management but with less security and more responsibility on individual users. Client-server models are ideal for large organizations, while peer-to-peer is better suited for small groups with limited data-sharing needs.

Takeaways

• 😀 Client-server networks have a server that controls access, security, and services for shared files, internet, printing, email, and backups.
• 😀 Clients in a client-server model make requests to the server for data, connections, and services.
• 😀 Advantages of client-server networks include easier file security management, data backup, and software updates.
• 😀 Disadvantages of client-server networks include high setup and maintenance costs and dependency on IT specialists.
• 😀 Client-server networks are vulnerable to server failure, which can disrupt network access for users.
• 😀 Client-server networks are best for large organizations or situations where many users need access to the same data.
• 😀 In peer-to-peer networks, each computer (peer) is responsible for its own files, security, and backups.
• 😀 Peer-to-peer networks are cheaper to set up since they don't require expensive hardware or specialist staff.
• 😀 Peer-to-peer networks have disadvantages like being less secure and requiring users to manage their own data backups.
• 😀 Peer-to-peer networks are ideal for small organizations or situations where few users need access to the same data at the same time.

Q & A

What is the main role of a server in a client-server network?

The main role of a server in a client-server network is to control access and security for a shared file store, manage internet connections, handle printing jobs, provide email services, and run regular backups of data.

What are the key advantages of a client-server model?

The key advantages of a client-server model include easier management of file security, ease of backing up shared data, and the ability to install software updates across all computers at once.

What are the disadvantages of a client-server network?

The disadvantages of a client-server network include the high cost of setup and maintenance, the need for IT specialists, and the risk of a single point of failure since the server can affect network access if it fails.

Which type of organization benefits the most from a client-server network?

A client-server network is best suited for organizations with a large number of computers or situations where many computers need access to the same data.

What defines a peer in a peer-to-peer network?

In a peer-to-peer network, a peer is any computer connected to the network, and each peer is equal to all others. Peers serve their own files to each other and are responsible for their own security and data backups.

What are the main advantages of a peer-to-peer network?

The main advantages of a peer-to-peer network are ease of maintenance, no need for specialist staff, and no reliance on a single powerful computer or server, making it cheaper to set up.

What are the disadvantages of a peer-to-peer network?

The disadvantages of a peer-to-peer network include lower security, the responsibility of users for their own data backups, and the difficulty of maintaining an organized file store.

What type of organization is best suited for a peer-to-peer network?

A peer-to-peer network is best suited for small organizations with few computers or where fewer users need to access the same data simultaneously.

Why might a client-server model be expensive to maintain?

A client-server model can be expensive to maintain because it requires specialized IT staff and hardware, as well as ongoing management of security, backups, and software updates.

How does a peer-to-peer network handle printing tasks?

In a peer-to-peer network, peers usually have their own printers, and they can send print jobs to another peer for processing. However, the other peer must be switched on for the task to be completed.