Peer-to-Peer VS. Client Server
Trevor Crews
Strayer University

Networks are used to offer advantages that cannot be obtained through the sole use of a standalone computer. There are two common types of network, Peer-to-Peer and Client/Server. Peer-to-Peer is the simpler of the two while client server remains the more complex. Both types offer advantages and disadvantages over the others. “In a peer-to-peer network, every computer can communicate directly with every other computer.” (Dean, 2010) This set-up allows for all computers to have access to each other and the same level of authority. Because of this fact no one computer can do more or less than any other computer on the network. They do, however; each have the ability to limit and share only a portion of their resources and the ability to prevent access to certain data. As they are set up directly to each other every computer has the ability to send and receive information to and from every other computer on the network. Using Peer-to-Peer networks though however does have its advantages and disadvantages. First let’s look at the advantages. The main advantage to a Peer-to-Peer network is how simple it is to configure. This allows them to be deployed in areas where high-end technical expertise may be limited. Due to this fact they can be seen in areas from local home networks to small businesses and at times even larger companies may implement them. Another advantage is that they are less expensive to both set up and maintain. This makes them more prominent in the areas described above. However Peer-to-Peer is not without their disadvantages. They are not very flexible and can be difficult to expand as the network grows. This makes it difficult to change huge components of the network. They are not always very secure as on device can access all others. They are also not practical for large scale networks. Client/Server as mentioned is the other common network type. Client/Server is designed around a “central computer, known as a server, to facilitate communication and resource sharing between other computers on the network, which are known as clients.” (Dean, 2010) Clients are generally in the form of PCs and often referred to as workstations. In this network type every computer on the network acts as either a server or client. Client/Server networks as well offer a range of advantages and disadvantages over Peer-to-Peer networks. For example they allow for user logon accounts and passwords for the whole network. They allow for access to multiple shared resources to be centrally controlled. It is much easier to monitor and fixed from one central location. The servers are able to handle heavy process loads and can be specialized. And due to the nature of the servers with the bigger ability to process data and storage they can handle many more computers than a Peer-to-Peer. They also offer the most flexibility and scalability of the two network types. However even with all of these advantages there are still some disadvantages. They are often much more expensive to both set up and maintain. They are often very complex and require a great deal of technical expertise to maintain and set-up. Both network types described have both advantages and disadvantages over each other, mainly in terms of money and simplicity. However, both if used in the correct environments can offer much to the efficiency and the ability of the networks they create.

Works Cited
Dean, T. (2010). CIS 175: Network + Guide to Networks: 2010 Custom Edition (5th Edition). Boston: Cengage Learning.