Networking Models

In our previous posts we have talked about the “Networking”. Here we will learn about the Network Models. There are two main Network Models, these Network models also known as Network Architectures. These Network models/architectures are Client/Server and Peer-to-Peer.
First we talk about the Client/Server model and see what are the advantages and disadvantages of this model. In client/server model, there are two types involves one is the client and other server. Mostly, we find and server with high processing speed. On the other end, we find clients computers, connected to the server. So, the server’s min task is to provide the services to its client computers. When they request, the server also manages the resources available on the networks. Such as hardware resources software resources and it also provides the large storage for the clients connected to it. So, we can say the client computers are depending on the server to utilize the resources of a network. If we talk about a large network, working on this mode, Client/Server we will find more than more than one server and too many clients connected to these servers. Here the servers performs and manage specific tasks assigns to them, for example one server will manage the printers and printing requests, the other will manage the software installed on it and third will manage the storage resources So, these types of severs are called “Dedicated Servers”, means dedicated to one or more than one jobs. But mostly, in a small office networks we find one server with heavy resources and the clients connected to the server.
Now, lets see some advantages and disadvantages of Client/Server Model.
First of all in a Client/Server model we can handle a large number of users and if the users increase, we can increase the servers too and assign the specific tasks to these servers.
This model also provides the high security level and can restrict the users access. For example, it can give the permission to add or edit the data and programs and it can give the permission just to read – only data.
Here in Client/Server model we use only one expensive server and the clients may be low cost. Because all the major activities performed on the sever side, so, the low resources clients can used for the users.
In offices and large organizations, many users work on a single database. So, we install that database on the server and all the users can use that data simultaneously. And when the data is stored on a single place, its easy to maintain the backups for that data
There are some disadvantages of Client/Server model. In this model we need a costly server with high resources. And in addition we need to hire a network administrator to manage the server and networking. If the server is out of order the all the network will shut down because the entire client computer are depend on the server.
The second networking model is called “Peer-to-peer” model. The major difference between the Client/Server model and Peer-to-peer model is it, that in peer to peer model there is no any server but all the computer get and provide the services to other computers.
In Peer-to-Peer Network we connect the peripheral devices (additional devices such as printers and Scanners) with any computer and other can use these peripheral devices peer-to-peer network model is recommended where the number of computers are between 2 to 12.
In this model we don’t need to manage an expensive server and network administrator, because its setup is simple and easy.
But it is not recommended where the number of users is large due to the following reasons/disadvantages.
First of all, it cannot perform fast speed because the resources of computer are shared and used by more than one user; so, it reduces the speed of entire network
Peer to peer model cannot supper the security management. So, the data is not secured as it is on Client/Server model. Its also difficult to arrange the backups from different computers because data is not present at a single place as we find the Client/Server model.
So, in the end we can conclude that in small offices where we have users between two to twelve, peer-to-peer network model is recommended and in the organizations where we have large number of users, Client/Server model is suitable