Differentiate between a client/ server and a peer-to-peer network?

Question

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Answer 1

Client Server is when a Workstation connects to another more powerful machine via a network. In general the Applications, storage printing is controlled by the server. The advantages of this is DATA backup is then controller by the server.

A Peer to Peer network is when pc's are directly connected to each other.

Answer 2

The others are correct in both descriptions, however I am not sure you actually meant a real Server OS, but may mean the ICS, Internet Connection Sharing, where one is the Server and the other the Client. In ICS the Server must be turned on in order for the Client to be able to access the Internet.

Peer to peer shares only printer and files, but does not provide an Internet Connction. This is also called an Ad Hoc connection, and is the easiest of all to hook up and configure.

There is another option, the use of a Router creates a network where each computer can access the Internet without going through another computer, and does not need to have a Server machine on. All networked systems can access the Internet Connection independently.

Actual Servers used in a Network, are usually in businesses which have a need to network more than ten computers. Anytime you need to network together more than ten computers you must use a Server OS to do so. This is where Domains come in to play.

Under ten machines use a Workgroup, and do not need a Server OS.

However, Microsoft has come out with Windows Home Server, which is based on Windows Server 2003, only in a cut down manner. It offers Remote Access to the Server, and all networked systems, a central file location for shared data, and multimedia, it grows in storage capabilities as you need more space by simply adding another hard drive as needed, it offers nightly automatic backups, with an image which can create the ability to restore a damaged hard drive and system within 30-60 minutes, access to individual files accidently deleted, or lost, ability to duplicate files on the Server for safety as it creates two files on two seperate physical hard drives, (if you turn it on) and hooking up a Media Extender to access the multi-media files on the Server and display on your connected TV.

Very cool, and created for those with little or no computer technical skills, it works Out of the Box, by simply plugging in the power cord, plugging in the ethernet into a Routers ethernet slot, running the Connector software on each networked computer. The unit is Headless, which means it does not use a keyboard, mouse or monitor, it is managed via one of the other computers via the Connector software application. It comes with a Recovery CD, for simple and easy recovery. It does not have the Server 2003 ability to use Group Policy on all networked computers, or to use Exchange or any of the other business related features.

Or, you can build your own machine to house the Server, and purchase a DVD with the OS on it, and instal it yourself. This is the option I went with. HP now has Windows Home Server, called the HP Media Smart Home Server.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/windowshomeserver/default.mspx

Answer 3

A client/server connection sounds like a LAN to me. A LAN is traditionally more than 10 computers connected to a server(centralized administration), where as a peer to peer network is traditionally less than 10 users connected directly to each other(decentralized administration).