Networks - Peer-to-Peer

Helping Networks Grow

Peer to Peer Networks

If you only need to share a printer or an Internet connection, a client-server network may be overkill. Sometimes, a simpler peer-to-peer network may be all you need to fulfil your needs. The diagram right shows a simple peer-to-peer network. 

As you can see from the diagram, in a peer-to-peer network there are no dedicated servers (central computers that control the network) or hierarchy among the computers. All of the computers on the network handle security and administration for themselves. The users must make the decisions about who gets access to what. Beyond that there are more similarities than differences. All of the computers must have network cards. You also use the same cables, the same hubs, and the same protocols as you would with a client-server model. The only difference is that there isn't a server. Since there isn't a server, there are some things to think about before you go down the peer-to-peer path . . .

 

 
 

Before Taking the Peer-to-Plunge

Peer-to-peer networks work remarkably well in certain circumstances; however there are a few things to consider before setting one up:

  • Size: Peer-to-peer networks are designed for connecting small numbers of computers. They tend to run into problems at around 5-10 computers or more.
  • Security: Security on a peer-to-peer network is not very powerful. So if you have security concerns go for something you can control (read server!).
  • Growth: If your organisation is growing rapidly, it will usually out grow a peer-to-peer network very quickly.
  • Training: In a peer-to-peer network, the users handle administration. This means that all the users need to be trained in how to share files, folders, and printers.
  • Hosting Resources: The last concern is that each computer that attaches to another computer, whether for printing or for file sharing, takes up system resources on the hosting computer. 
 
 

Advantages:

  • Cheaper (no dedicated server)
  • Easy to Install
     

Disadvantages

  • Limited Size
  • Difficult administration
  • Reduced security
  • Reduced features
  • Limited Remote Access