In this section I am going to be talking about the types of networks in ICT. There are two types of networks in ICT you should be familiar with:

• Peer-to-Peer (P2P)

• Client-Server

 

Peer-to-Peer

In this type of network computers have equal status. Any computer on the network can provide internet access, printer access, file access etc. The cost of setting up this type of network is very cheap in comparison to client-server networks but the management of the network is dependant upon each individual who manages their own computer. This is where two or more computers are connected together without needing a file server to be part of the network. This type of network can be as simple as two people in the same room temporarily connecting their computers via a Universal Serial Bus to enable them to transfer or share files directly with one another. It can also include a more permanent network where say half-a-dozen computers in a small office are connected together with copper cables. This type of network means that every PC, once connected to the network is acting both as a server and a client. There is no need for a special network operating system. Access rights to files, folders and data is controlled by setting the sharing permissions on individual machines. So for example, if User A wants to access some files from User B's computer, User B must set their permissions to allow this. Otherwise, User A won't be able to see or access any of User B's work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

client-server

This network is based around one central computer, known as the server, which tends to be very powerful. The clients connect to the server. The server stores all files, controls access rights, printer controls, internet access etc. It is a much more managed system but is more costly to set up. A client-server network is the type of network that we have been discussing on the previous pages. A server Is a computer that is dedicated to providing some kind of service to users across a network. (Hence the word 'server'). There might be different types of server on a network such as a file server which is used to store all of the users' files and folders. The file server 'serves' files to the users when they log onto the network. There might be an email server which deals with the internal email system. A web server deals with hosting web sites, either across the internet or within an internal company intranet. Some servers are dedicated to very specific tasks. For example converting a person-friendly URL such as www.teach-ict.com to an IP address that is then used to access the site. These are called DNS 'root servers' and are the basis of the world wide web. Others are there to just provide an accurate time, based on a trusted clock, such as the NTP servers dotted around the internet that send time information to a client when requested.