How does a client-server network differ from a peer-to-peer network?

How does a client-server network differ from a peer-to-peer network?

• A. A client-server network distributes resources across peers without a central server.
• B. A client-server network has centralized servers, whereas peer-to-peer distributes resources among peers without a central server.
• C. Both rely on shared files with no central coordinating server.
• D. Peer-to-peer requires a central database to function.

Answer: (B)

In a client-server setup, centralized servers provide resources and services to clients, with a distinct server that manages requests and coordinates actions. In a peer-to-peer network, there is no single central resource manager; each participant can both request and supply resources, sharing directly with others. This difference is captured by saying that a client-server network has centralized servers, whereas peer-to-peer distributes resources among peers without a central server. So, the best description highlights centralized servers in the client-server model and the absence of a central server in the peer-to-peer model. The other statements either describe P2P behavior as if it were client-server, or incorrectly imply no central server exists for client-server, or claim a central database is required for P2P.

In a client-server setup, centralized servers provide resources and services to clients, with a distinct server that manages requests and coordinates actions. In a peer-to-peer network, there is no single central resource manager; each participant can both request and supply resources, sharing directly with others. This difference is captured by saying that a client-server network has centralized servers, whereas peer-to-peer distributes resources among peers without a central server.

So, the best description highlights centralized servers in the client-server model and the absence of a central server in the peer-to-peer model. The other statements either describe P2P behavior as if it were client-server, or incorrectly imply no central server exists for client-server, or claim a central database is required for P2P.