Client Server Network Vs. Peer-To-Peer Network
Client-server is the traditional model for networked communication. The term refers to the protocol of responsibilities and action of two end points in a connection. peer-to-peer is an alternative scenario where the computers connected by the network behave equally.
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Client Server
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The two endpoints in client server networking are the client and the server. The client initiates the connection with a request. The server responds to this request, delivering the required service or resource. Most business-related networked applications operate on this model. Web browsers request web pages from web servers in the same manner. Client server was the only method of network communication until peer-to-peer networking was invented.
Peer-to-Peer
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In a peer-to-peer network, both computers in a connection are equals, or "peers." Both computers in the connection are both clients and servers simultaneously. Usually, peer-to-peer networks involve more than two computers. This means that each computer in the network can maintain a connection to more than one computer at the same time. This provides a backup source for a file or service if the first computer to be contacted is not available.
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Comparison
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Although the computers in a peer-to-peer network are equals, there are some procedural similarities to the client-server model. For example, one computer has to initiate contact. In client-server communication, this is a defining characteristic of the client. Also, although all computers in the peer-to-peer network can be both client and server, they do not all perform both functions simultaneously all the time. One computer might be available and willing to serve files to others without needing to receive files. A computer downloading resources from that computer may not be simultaneously serving others, meaning it is only performing the functions of a client. However, this does not mean that the two computers are in a client-server relationship because either could switch to include the other function at any time. The key difference is that the clients in a client server system can only be clients and the servers can only be servers because they do not have software installed to perform the other function.
Examples
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A clear example of a client-server relationship is a file server. Computers connect to the server, request a file and the server delivers it. The same action performed in a peer-to-peer network is decentralized. A group of computers contact each other and agree to share files. So, each is able to download files from the others or upload files to the others.
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References
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