Difference between Client-Server and Peer-to-Peer Network ...

                                        PEER TO PEER MODEL

. This means that CPU power and applications are

not centralized, but instead, every host has a CPU, and every host can run programs that

connect to other computers. The most common types of distributed networks are client/

server and peer-to-peer. It is important to know the differences between these so you can

decide which technology is best for any given customer scenario

The older type of computing was known as centralized computing. This was the case

during the days of the mainframe, where there was one supercomputer and the rest of the

devices that connected to the supercomputer were known as terminals (or dumb terminals).

They were strictly a keyboard and display with no processing power. Today’s computing

is known as distributive computing and is used for both client/server and peer-to-peer

networks. This means that every device or workstation has its own processing power.

However, in a way, the idea of centralized computing has made a comeback of sorts.

Terminal services and remote sessions to computers are based on the centralized computing

model. Also, thin-client computing has been slowly gaining in market share for the past

decade or so. Thin-client computers do not have a hard drive. Instead, they store an operating system in RAM, which is loaded up every time the device is turned on. All other applications and data are stored centrally. So, in a way, this is sort of blending some centralized computing in with today’s distributive computing

CLIENT SERVER MODEL

The client/server model is an architecture that distributes applications between servers,

such as Windows Server 2016, and client computers, such as Windows 8/8.1 or

Windows 10. It also distributes the necessary processing power. It is extremely common

in today’s LANs, as with most applications that an average user would utilize when

connecting to the Internet. For example, when users first come into work, they typically

log on to the network. Chances are this is a client/server network. They might be

using Windows 10 as the client computer to log on to a Microsoft domain, which is

controlled by a Windows server. A simpler example would be a user at home connecting

to the Internet. When a user wants to go to a website such as Bing, the user opens

a web browser and types http://www.bing.com/ (or one of many shortcuts). The web

browser is the client application. Bing’s web server is obviously the “server.” It serves the

web pages filled with highly functional HTML code. The client computer’s web browser

decodes the HTML code and fills the web browser display with data for both on-the-job

and personal use from the Internet from useful resources, such as Microsoft Outlook.

The outlook is the client application; it connects to a mail server, most likely an SMTP

server, perhaps run by Microsoft Exchange Server. The examples are endless, but client/

the server is not the end-all when it comes to networking. Sometimes, it is more efficient to

not use a server, particularly with a very small number of users

File Server A file server stores files for computers to share. The connection to a file server

could be made by browsing, by mapping a network drive, by connecting in the command

line, or by connecting with an FTP client. The latter would require special FTP server software to be installed and configured on the file server. By default, Windows Server 2008 and newer can be file servers right out of the box.

Print Server A print server controls printers that can be connected directly to the server

or (and more commonly) are connected to the network. The print server can control the

starting and stopping of documents, as well as concepts such as spooling, printer pooling,

ports, and much more. By default, Windows Server 2008 and newer can also be print servers right out of the box.

Database Server A database server houses a relational database, one that is made up of

one or more files. SQL databases fall into this category. They would require special software such as Microsoft SQL Server. Access databases (which are just one file) would not necessarily require a database server; they would usually be stored on a regular file server

Network Controller A network controller is a server, such as a Microsoft domain controller

that oversees user accounts, computer accounts, network time, and the general

well-being of the entire domain of computers and users. Windows Server 2016 servers can

be domain controllers, but they need to be promoted to that status. By default, a Windows

The server operating system is not a controller. Network controller operating systems are also

referred to as network operating systems (NOSs).

Messaging Server This server category is enormous. Providing simple services alone

would make this a full-time job, but you have to add in fax servers, instant messaging, collaborative,

and other types of messaging servers. For a Windows Server to control email,

special software known as Exchange Server needs to be loaded in addition to the operating

system.

Web Server Web servers are important to share data and give information about a company.

Windows servers can be web servers, but Internet Information Services (IIS) must be

installed and configured to do so.

CTI-based Server CTI is short for Computer Telephony Integration. This occurs when a

company’s telephone system meets the computer system. Special PBXs that are used to control

phones as a separate entity can now be controlled by servers with powerful software.