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1. Introduction

Specification point:

iii) Explain the different roles of computers in a client-server and a peer-to-peer network

 

By the time you read this theory section you should already have learned quite a lot about computer networks.

You certainly should understand the difference between a LAN and a WAN. You can probably describe the different network topologies - star, bus and ring.

Now you are going to find out about client server and peer to peer networks.

These are not to be confused with LANS and WANs or star, bus and ring layouts. Instead, client server and peer to peer networks are more to do with how files and data are stored on the network and how they are accessed or retrieved by the person using the network.