COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES

Computer networks can be represented with two basic network models: peer-to-peer client/server and dedicated client/server. The client/server method specifies the way in which two computers can be communicate with software over a network. With client/server concept, a computer acting as a client initiates a software request from the client. The sever computer might then act as a client and request services from another computer.

Peer-to-peer Client/ Server Network:

A Peer-to-peer client/server network is one in which all computers share their resources, such as hard drives, printers, and so on, with all the computers on the network. Therefore, the peer-to-peer operating system divides its time between servicing the computer on which it is loaded and servicing requests from the other computers. In a peer-to-peer network, there are no dedicated servers or hierarchy among the computers. Each computer in the network can function as a client and/ or a server, and no single computer holds the network operating system or shared files. The users at each computer determine which data on their computer are shared with the other computers on the network.

Dedicated Client/ Server Network:

In a Dedicated client/server network, one computer is designated the server, and the rest of the computers are clients. As the network grows, additional computers can be designated servers. Generally, the designated servers function only as servers and are not used as a client or work station. The servers store all the network’s shared files and applications programs, such as word processor documents, compilers, database applications, spreadsheets, and the network operating system. Client computers can access the servers and have shared files transferred to them over the transmission medium .in some client/server networks; client computers submit jobs to one of the servers. The server runs the software and completes the job and then sends the results back to the client computers. In this type of client/server network, less information propagates through the network than with the file sever configuration because only data and not applications are transferred between computers.

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