M1- Compare the benefits and disadvantages of peer‐
to‐peer network and client/server networks
In this report I am going to first start of by explaining what peer to peer and client/ server
networking is. After I have had a brief overview I will then state the facts along with
advantages and disadvantages of both of them and then compare them to see the
similarities and differences and what would be better in certain situations.
What is Peer to peer networking?
Peer to peer is a special kind of networking set up and how 2 or more peers (Computers)
connect together without there being some kind of centralised server connecting them both.
Peer to peer is exclusive for file sharing purposes as the systems connected can exchange
and share data, so this means the data is stored on one of the peer’s computers. Then when
a peer is connected to that that other peer it will ask for the file and will be given the file in
bits, so when there are multiple computers connected they will all seed that file to the peer
that wants it. . A P2P network also can be a permanent infrastructure that links a half-dozen
computers in a small office over copper wires. Furthermore P2P systems can be used to
provide anonymised routing of network traffic, massive parallel computing environments,
distributed storage and other functions. Programs are there which allow local users to
upload a file and share it via the peer client which can be programs such as uTorrent, Bit
Torrent, LimeWire etc. However peer to peer can also be used in video streaming systems
to prevent server over load so if someone is watching the same video and is ahead on the
timeline that computer can also share the data to reduce server load.
Advantages of Peer to peer
The biggest advantage of peer to peer networking is how easy it is to setup as you
don’t need a specialised operating system or software, no sever is required, no
special networking hardware and cabling is required. This also means you can spent
less time on configuration of the network.
This then makes me go onto my second point which is its less expensive because
you do not need to buy all this equipment, a simple program and LAN Connection will
do. This is great for small businesses as they can exchange large files directly to
another machine.
There is no need for a dedicated server or client as all the nodes will interact will
each other to exchange data, this can reduce costs of setting up a stable server and
furthermore nothing has to be centralised.
Peer to peer doesn’t require any kind of file storage server as the peers have all the
information stored which means costs and storage space is reduced drastically.
If one of the peer clients fails to work or give out corrupted data there can be many
other peers offering the same information to continue downloading the data.
There is also no need for maintenance or administrating the peer to peer clients as
they can take care of their machines themselves.
Disadvantages of Peer to peer
Security is a big issue for peer to peer as the viruses, malware, spyware, Trojans can
be transfer easily because there is no kind of protection in place.
to‐peer network and client/server networks
In this report I am going to first start of by explaining what peer to peer and client/ server
networking is. After I have had a brief overview I will then state the facts along with
advantages and disadvantages of both of them and then compare them to see the
similarities and differences and what would be better in certain situations.
What is Peer to peer networking?
Peer to peer is a special kind of networking set up and how 2 or more peers (Computers)
connect together without there being some kind of centralised server connecting them both.
Peer to peer is exclusive for file sharing purposes as the systems connected can exchange
and share data, so this means the data is stored on one of the peer’s computers. Then when
a peer is connected to that that other peer it will ask for the file and will be given the file in
bits, so when there are multiple computers connected they will all seed that file to the peer
that wants it. . A P2P network also can be a permanent infrastructure that links a half-dozen
computers in a small office over copper wires. Furthermore P2P systems can be used to
provide anonymised routing of network traffic, massive parallel computing environments,
distributed storage and other functions. Programs are there which allow local users to
upload a file and share it via the peer client which can be programs such as uTorrent, Bit
Torrent, LimeWire etc. However peer to peer can also be used in video streaming systems
to prevent server over load so if someone is watching the same video and is ahead on the
timeline that computer can also share the data to reduce server load.
Advantages of Peer to peer
The biggest advantage of peer to peer networking is how easy it is to setup as you
don’t need a specialised operating system or software, no sever is required, no
special networking hardware and cabling is required. This also means you can spent
less time on configuration of the network.
This then makes me go onto my second point which is its less expensive because
you do not need to buy all this equipment, a simple program and LAN Connection will
do. This is great for small businesses as they can exchange large files directly to
another machine.
There is no need for a dedicated server or client as all the nodes will interact will
each other to exchange data, this can reduce costs of setting up a stable server and
furthermore nothing has to be centralised.
Peer to peer doesn’t require any kind of file storage server as the peers have all the
information stored which means costs and storage space is reduced drastically.
If one of the peer clients fails to work or give out corrupted data there can be many
other peers offering the same information to continue downloading the data.
There is also no need for maintenance or administrating the peer to peer clients as
they can take care of their machines themselves.
Disadvantages of Peer to peer
Security is a big issue for peer to peer as the viruses, malware, spyware, Trojans can
be transfer easily because there is no kind of protection in place.
