Networking comes in several flavors. Depending on your needs will decide what flavor works for you. Below is an explanation of the different flavors and what they best work for.
Peer-To-Peer Networking:
Peer-to-peer (P2P) networking is communication between peers. Peers are equally privileged participants in the network. Each workstation is a peer. The Benefits to this type of networking is everyone can share files and resources easily. Examples are sharing with another computer on your local network or over the internet. The Disadvantages of this type of networking is files are all over the place as opposed to being in one place for easy backup, and security is compromised.
Client Server networking is communication over the internal network to a central server that all users share. Advantages of Client Server Networks over Peer to Peer Networks:
- Centralization: Unlike P2P, where there is no central administration, here in this architecture there is a centralized control. Servers help in administering the whole set-up. Access rights and resource allocation is done by Servers.
- Proper Management: All the files are stored at the same place. In this way, management of files becomes easy. Also it becomes easier to find files.
- Back-up and Recovery possible: As all the data is stored on the server its easy to make a back-up of it. Also, in case of some break-down if data is lost, it can be recovered easily and efficiently. While in peer computing you have to back-up every workstation.
- Upgrading and Scalability in Client-server set-up: Changes can be made easily by just upgrading the server. Also new resources and systems can be added by making necessary changes in the server.
- Accessibility: From various platforms in the network, the server can be accessed remotely.
- As new information is uploaded in a database, each workstation need not have its own storage capacities increased (as may be the case in peer-to-peer systems). All the changes are made only in the central computer on which the server database exists.
- Security: Rules defining security and access rights can be defined at the time of server set-up.
- Servers can play different roles for different clients.
Disadvantages of Client Server Architecture v/s P-2-P Technology:
- Congestion in Network: Too many requests from the clients may lead to congestion, which rarely takes place in P2P network. Overload can lead to breaking-down of servers. In peer-to-peer, the total bandwidth of the network increases as the number of peers increase.
- Cost: It is very expensive to install and manage this type of computing.
- You need professional IT people to maintain the servers and other technical details of the network.
Cloud Computing/Networking:
Cloud Computing will continue to grow in the coming years. While it is beneficial to mid-size to large companies, it is not without its downsides, especially for smaller bueinesses. Below are the advantages and disadvantages of Cloud Computing:
Advantages:
- Cloud Computing is probably the most cost efficient method to use, maintain and upgrade. Traditional desktop software costs companies a lot in terms of finance. Adding up licensing fees for multiple users can be expensive. The cloud is available at much cheaper rates and can signigicantly lower the companies IT expenses at least in the short term. There are many one-time-payment, pay-as-you-go and other scalable options available which makes it reasonable for the company budget.
- Almost Unlimited Storage: Storing information in the cloud gives yo almost unlimited storage capacity. ALthough it does come at a cost, increasing storage is easy. You no longer have to worry about increasing your storage needs.
- Backup and Recovery: Since all your data is stored in the cloud (someone elses servers), most providers are usually competent enough to handle backup and recovery of information.
- Automatic Software Integration: In the cloud, software integration is usually something that occurs automatically. This means that you do not need to take additional efforts to customize and integrate your applications as per your preferences. This aspect usually takes care of itself. Not only that, cloud computing allows you to customize your options with great ease. Hence, you can handpick just those services and software applications that you think will best suit your particular enterprise.
- Quick Deployment: Once you have decided what services you need, your cloud system can be up and running quickly. The amount of time depends on the exact kind of technology you need.
Disadvantages:
- Technical Issues: Even though your information can be accessed anytime and from most anywhere, there are times when this system can have some serious dysfunction. You should be aware of the fact that outages and other technical issues can arise.
- Security: You should know that when using cloud computing you will be surrendering all you sensitive information to a third party. This could possibily put your company at risk.
- Prone to Attack: Storing information in the cloud could make your company vulnerable to external hack attacks. As you should be aware, nothing on the internet is completely secure so there is always the possibility of data being compromised.
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