Client v Peer to peer network

Types of networks available and the use of associated hardware.

Candidates should understand the advantages and disadvantages of:

• • client server networks

  • peer to peer networks

Client Server networks

A star network is an example of a client server network and the fileserver is in the centre of the spokes with peripherals and workstations at the end of each spoke.

• The star can be a LAN or WAN linking networks via gateways and a classic example of this is the internet or when large banks link up their branches with the HQ computers.

• All traffic goes through the file server (hub).

• If a spoke goes down in the star network the others can still function, but if the central file server goes down then the network cannot function.

• Can add extra 'spokes' without disturbing the rest of the network.

• In the star network everything goes through a central fileserver which can have firewalls and proxy servers allowing central control of message switching allowing a high degree of security.

Peer to peer networks

A ring network is a peer to peer network with the fileserver and all peripherals and workstations on a ring.

• A ring network is a LAN which means it can only be accessed from within the building or organisation.

• Messages are passed around all devices on the ring and repeated on to the next if not at the destination address.

• All stations on the network have the same access rights.

• There may be more than one fileserver on a ring network and if one goes down the ring can still function by redirecting network traffic to the functioning server.

• The ring network depends upon the repeaters sending the signal around the network.

• In the ring every device has access to the 'token' before repeating it on making it easier for potential hacking and corruption to occur

Transmission Speeds

In the ring, transmission is in one direction only and therefore can be quite fast. In the star you can have different transmission speeds on each of the spokes, some can be super fast e.g. between file and communications servers and others e.g. to printers can be slower.

Cabling Costs

Cabling for a local network such as the Ring is less and ethernet cable is probably sufficient. However, wide area networks may need fibre optic cabling or even satellite links. Gateways can also be expensive.