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You are aware of the advantages, benefits and productivity gains of a computer network in your office. You also know that networking offers the security that comes with greater control of your software and data resources. You appreciate that a network makes the most of expensive printers, fast high capacity hard disks, DVD drives, internet connectivity, fax boards, modems and other resources and peripherals, by sharing them and controlling who has access to them.

The question that faces you now is: What type of network should I set up?

There are basically two types of in-office computer networks: peer-to-peer and client/server. Each has its unique advantages.

The most basic network is a peer-to-peer network. In this type of network, computers are connected to each other with network interface cards and cables or wireless circuitry, and a peer-to-peer operating system (this capability is already built in today’s desktop operating systems), allowing the sharing of files and resources installed at the various computers.

In a peer-to-peer network there are no dedicated servers nor a hierarchy among the computers. As "peers" or equals, users simply share disk space and resources of the computers on the network. Every computer can be a server (a computer that shares its resources and provides services to other computers), or a client (a computer that accesses the resources or services provided by another computer), or both.

All the computers and users on a peer-to-peer network handle security and administration for themselves. The users make the decisions about who gets access to what. There is no central control, security, or administrator. Passwords and/or access to shared resources are usually assigned to the shared devices or files, not users. Rights and access depend on the password(s) you know about or the resources marked as shareable, not on who you are.

The basic advantage of a peer-to-peer network is low cost because you don't need to invest in (1) a computer that acts as a dedicated server, and (2) server software (network operating system). A peer-to-peer network is also significantly easier to configure and set up.

The disadvantages of a "peer" network include (a) degradation of performance as the number of users increases, (b) lack of central organization which can make data hard to find, (c) no central storage for files and file archiving, (d) weak security for your programs and data, (e) lack of central management, and (f) less reliability overall. The reliability concern in a "peer" network is that each computer that attaches to another computer, whether for printing or for file sharing, takes up system resources on the host computer (the computer that hosts the file or print service). If the drain becomes dramatic enough, it can drastically slow down the host computer or even cause the host computer to hang, leading to data corruption. In short, the peer network does not have robustness for demanding applications that involve high data interchange between workstations.

A "peer" network is usually to be found in homes, where no serious business data processing normally happens. This network design is also used in businesses with less than five computers; who don't use large, numerous files or need to share applications; where speed and performance is not critical; and security is not a concern.

Client/Server Network

In a client/server network, clients (the computer workstations) are connected by network interface cards and cables or wireless circuitry to a dedicated, centralized server.

This server runs a network operating software (NOS) such as Windows Server or Linux, and is optimized to handle and serve requests from client computers. The server provides centralized security, storage, backup, and recovery capability. It controls access to sensitive files and resources/peripherals. A dedicated server further improves data integrity, because the most current version of a document or set of files is saved in one location.

With a client/server network, you can manage all security and data access from a central point. You can set passwords with different security levels and accesses for different users and resources, even set the specific times a user can access the server resources, and define access permissions and limitations to confidential data such as payroll and contracts.

Client/server LAN. The server (center) houses a firm's mission-critical business apps. Surrounding workstations share these crucial server-based apps, feeding data into and extracting reports from them.

All of the disadvantages mentioned earlier in a peer-to-peer network are not present in a client/server network.

The disadvantage of a client/server network is basically the additional investment required for the dedicated server, the network operating software (except for Linux, which is free), and network administration.

A CLIENT/SERVER network is the way to go for larger organizations and for any organization where the integrity and security of data are of high importance. In addition, a client/server network provides you with more flexibility than a peer-to-peer network as your needs change. For example, as network traffic and/or users significantly increase, you can add another server to handle the additional load. You can also consider spreading out tasks to various servers, ensuring that these tasks are performed in the most efficient and secure manner possible.   -rcd

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