Types of Computer Network Architecture

Network architecture is the way that a computer network can be designed. This means it is how the hardware, software, transmission media, and protocols are organized and the tasks are allocated among computers within a network.

There are two types of network architecture that are most widely used. They are Peer-to-Peer architecture(P2P) and Client-Server architecture.

Peer-to-Peer Architecture

In peer-to-peer architecture, all the computers in the network are connected with every other computer in the same network. Each and every computer in the network has the equal ability to use the resources available in the network. In this type of architecture, there is no central computer as a server. So, therefore, every computer in the network act as the server for the files stored in that computer.

peer-to-peer architecture

Advantages of peer-to-peer architecture

• Since there is no dedicated server, it is less expensive.
• In case of a computer fails, all the other computers in the network are not affected by it and will continue to work as same as before.
• Installation of a P2P architecture is relatively easy as each computer manages itself.

Disadvantages of peer-to-peer architecture

• Since data is in different locations in a P2P architecture, backup needs to be managed for each computer.
• Security issues as devices are managed themselves.
• Scalability issues as connecting each computer to every computer in the network.

Client-Server Architecture

In Client-Server architecture there is a centralized computer which is called a server and all the other computers are called clients. A server is dedicated to serving requests from clients. All the data is stored in the server and can be shared with clients when they requested it. A server is responsible for resource management, security management as well as network management.

client-server architecture

Advantages of client-server architecture

• Since there is no need to manage backup on each computer, data backup is relatively easy.
• This has better security as unauthorized access is denied by the server.
• High performance due to a dedicated server.

Disadvantages of client-server architecture

• More expensive as it requires a server as well as more resources such as memory and NOS (Network Operating System).
• The cost of maintenance is high.
• If the server fails, the entire network will go down.