Explain the client-server
• Client-server network is computer
network that uses a dedicated computer
(server) to store data, manages and
provides resources and control user
access (clients).
• Any computer hardware or software
device that requests access to a service
provided by a server is called a client.
• The server acts as a central point on the
network that provides services or
applications to other computers (clients) What is a client?
connect to it. A client is defined as a program that runs on
the local machine, requesting service from
the server. It can be a device or a machine.
Benefits of a client-server network
• Generally, more secure than peer-to-peer networks
• One client computer crashing does not effect the other computers
• Easier to recover files as backups can be controlled centrally by the
network administrator
• Files and resources are easier to share and control from server
• Improved levels of security as files are centralised
• It’s easier to administrate the whole network using a server
• Faster performance as each computer is only fulfilling one role
• Security is potentially cheaper and easier when done centrally
• Individual users do not have to worry about backups or security
• Larger networks can be created
Drawbacks of a client-server network
• Servers can be expensive to buy and maintain
• A network technician will often be required
• Complex to set up with specialist knowledge needed
• Overall set up cost is more expensive than a peer-to-peer network
• Server failure will probably disrupt all computers on the network
Explain the Peer-to-Peer
•A Peer-to-peer network is a computer
network that do not have a central server
controlling the network.
•Each computer is called a peer, and these
peers are connected to one another.
•No computer has control over another.
•This type of network is not suitable for a
large network
Benefits of a peer-to-peer network
• Each computer can communicate and share its data and resources with all
others (e.g. files or even a printer)
• Users can control which files they wish to share or keep private
• Easier to set up with less specialist knowledge needed
• No cost in buying a server
• Overall set up cost is cheaper
• No need to pay a network technician (each user manages own file sharing
permissions)
• Computer failure will only disrupt the files being shared from that computer
(unlike a server failure on a client-server network)
Drawbacks of a peer-to-peer network
• Difficult to recover files as they are not backed up centrally
• Each computer needs its own backup system
• Files and resources are more difficult to share
• Files are potentially less secure when not centralised
• Difficult to administrate the whole network as the system is not centralised
• Performance may be slower due to each computer fulfilling more than one
role and being accessed by others
• Security can be more expensive as each computer needs its own anti-virus
software
• It is up to the user of each computer to ensure viruses are not introduced to
the network
• Having lots of users/computers on the network becomes problematic
Thin clients and thick clients
Thin clients
• A thin client is a computer that runs from resources stored on a central
server instead of a localized hard drive.
• They work by connecting to a remote server-based environment, where most
applications and data is stored.
• The server performs most of the tasks like computations and calculations.
• They are more secure than thick client systems when it comes to security
threats.
• In Thin clients the system management is much easier as there are centralized
servers.
• With the help of centralization, there is optimization of hardware and
maintenance of software is also comparatively easier.
• Example: handheld devices - Web Browsers like Google Chrome and Apple
Safari
Thick clients
• A thick client can either be a device or software that can work offline or online; it
is still able to do some processing whether it is connected to a server or not.
• Thick clients are also referred as heavy or fat clients.
• Thick clients are not dependent on server’s applications.
• They have their own operating system and software applications.
• They have high flexibility and high server capacity.
• Thick clients have more security threats and are less secure than thin clients.
• Essentially, any device that can function completely independently of a remote
server is a thick client. Everyday examples of thick clients include desktop PCs or
laptops running Windows or MacOS
Thin Client Thick Client
Basic Thin client is a lightweight computer that The thick client relies lightly upon the server
relies on the resources of the host computer. and provides rich functionality.
Datastore In thin client, data is stored in servers. In thick client, data is stored locally.
Network Latency In thin client, a fast and robust network It can work with a slow network connection.
connection is required.
Offline working There is no offline working. Offline working is possible in thick client.
Deployment The deployment is easier in thin client. Unlike the thin client, the deployment in thick
client is expensive.
Data validation In thin client, the data verification is done at In thick client, the data verification is done at
server side. client side.
Local resources It generally consumes less local resources. Unlike thin client, it consumes more local
resources.
Security In terms of security, they are more secure In terms of security, they are less secure than
than thick clients as they have fewer thin clients as they have more security threats.
security threats.
