Classifications of Networks-Part 4

Networking Models

Peer-to-Peer(Workgroup) Model

Peer-to-Peer Model

Peer-to-Peer or simply P2P is a networking model in which each computer in the network has the same priorities or rights when communications are done. That is there is no central nodes or namely servers to manage and control other nodes in the network.  In some cases, peer-to-peer communications is implemented by giving each communication node both server and client capabilities. Because of  these reasons, the P2P is a less secure networking model.

                                            The Peer-to-peer model is also known as Workgroup Model, because the computers working in this model are said to be lied in a Workgoup (A group of computers).

Advantages

1. Easy to setup the network.
2. No dedicated nodes needed.
3. Less expensive.
4. Suitable for small networks with ten to twenty nodes.
5. Local users can control their shared resources.

Disadvantages

1. Less Secure.
2. Less Reliable.
3. Difficult to Administrate.

Client-Server(Domain) Model

Client-Server Model

This is a much secure networking model compared to P2P. In a server-client network, there must have a special computer called server and the others will be clients. A Server is typically a computer which provides service, but here we are using the term server to denote a specific node which has the ability to control and manage other nodes which we calls as clients. Clients are nodes which receives services from a server.

                                 In most conditions, servers only gives some software resources(or a Database) for the clients to use their computer under the control of the server and do their work that are allowed by the server. That is most servers are not intended to give their processing capability or storage capacity to clients. All these resources should exist in the client computer itself.

                The servers must have specific server operating systems installed on it.Some popular server OS's are Windows 2000 Server, Windows 2003 Server, Windows 2008 Server, Redhat Enterprise Linux, Ubundu Server. Clients only need any desktop level OS such as Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Ubundu Desktop.

Advantages

1. Having a dedicated high end machine as server will increase the network performance.
2. Highest level of security(Centralized control of data).
3. Highly expandable.
4. Easy administration compared to P2P.
5. More reliable than P2P.

Disadvantages

1. Server should be dedicated with high configuration hardwares and specific networking softwares(including OS).This is expensive.
2. Server should always be available.
3. Need a full time administrator to maintain the network.
4. Maintenance also is expensive.