Network Configuration

Question 1

Multi-user network

Answer 1

A computer capable of allowing multiple users to connect to a network.

Question 2

Client-server networks

Answer 2

This type of network separates computers into servers and clients.

A server is a computer that stores files or provides other services to a network. A client is a computer that relies on servers to provide and manage data. Typical servers include:

• File servers - hold and maintain user files
• Applications servers - allow programs to be run over a network
• Web servers - hold and share web pages
• Print servers - manage printing across a network
• Mail servers - handle emails between users

Question 3

Peer-to-peer networks

Answer 3

All computers have equal status - no computer has control over the network. There are no servers or clients. Instead, each computer is known as a peer. Peers store their own files, which can be accessed by other peers on the network. Therefore, a peer is both a client and a server.

Question 4

Centralised vs. Distributed System

Answer 4

A centralised system built around a single, central server that handles all major management and data processing functions. Other types of servers may connect to this master server and manage other specific functions, but those other servers cannot work independently of the central server.

A decentralized network architecture uses multiple servers in place of a single centralized server. Each of these servers can act as an independent master server, with the necessary workloads distributed across them for load balancing. If one server goes down, another server can take over its load to minimize network interruption.