Lab 3 Computer Networks
Lab 3 Computer Networks
always-on host permanent IP address server farms for scaling communicate with server may be intermittently connected may have dynamic IP addresses do not communicate directly with each other
clients:
no always-on server arbitrary end systems directly communicate peers are intermittently connected and change IP addresses example: Gnutella Highly scalable But difficult to manage
Napster File transfer P2P File search centralized: Peers register content at central server Peers query same central server to locate content Instant messaging Chatting between two users is P2P Presence detection/location centralized: User registers its IP address with central server when it comes online User contacts central server to find IP addresses of buddies
Network require special software to control the flow of information between users. A NOS, is installed onto each PC that requires network access. The NOS is like a traffic controller that monitors the exchange and flow of files, electronic mail, and other network information.
Network Operating Systems are classified according to whether they are peer-to-peer or client- server NOSs.
Peer-to-peer NOSs like Windows 95, Windows98 and Windows for Workgroups are best for home & small office use. Client-server NOSs like Windows NT, Linux and NetWare are ideal for large-scale organizations
Peer-to-Peer Model
A peer-to-peer network allows two or more PCs to pool their resources together. Individual resources like disk drives, CDROM drives, and even printers are transformed into shared, collective resources that are accessible from every PC.
Less initial expense No need for a dedicated server Setup An operating system (such as Widows 95) already in place may only need to be reconfigured for peer-to-peer operations.
Decentralized No central repository for files and applications. Security Does not provide the security available on a client/server network.
In a client-server environment like Windows NT or Novell NetWare, files are stored on a centralized, high speed file server PC that is made available to client PCs. Network access speeds are usually faster than those found on peer-to-peer networks, which is reasonable given the vast numbers of clients that this architecture can support.
Centralized Resources and data security are controlled through the server. Scalability Any or all elements can be replaced individually as needs increase. Flexibility New technology can be easily integrated into system. Accessibility Server can be accessed remotely and across multiple platforms.
Expense Requires initial investment in dedicated server Maintenance Large networks will require a staff to ensure efficient operation. Dependence When server goes down, operations will cease across the network.