CLIENT/SERVER AND PEER-TO-PEER NETWORK

OBJECTIVE
 To understand the basic idea and use of Cisco Packet Tracer software
 To connect and understand the client /server and peer-to-peer network

THEORY
Computer Network Architecture
A Computer Architecture is a design in which all computers in a computer network are
organized. It is defined as the physical and logical design of the software, hardware,
protocols, and media of the transmission of data. An architecture defines how the computers
should get connected to get the maximum advantages of a computer network such as better
response time, security, scalability etc.

Type of network architecture

 Client/Server Network
 Peer-To-Peer Network

Client/Server Network
Client-server architecture is an architecture of a computer network in which many clients
(remote processors) request and receive service from a centralized server (host computer).
Client computers provide an interface to allow a computer user to request services of
the server and to display the results the server returns. Servers wait for requests to arrive from
clients and then respond to them. Ideally, a server provides a standardized transparent
interface to clients so that clients need not be aware of the specifics of the system (i.e.,
the hardware and software) that is providing the service. Clients are often situated at
workstations or on personal computers, while servers are located elsewhere on the network,
usually on more powerful machines.

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 Server

Internet

Client1 Client2

Fig 1: Client/Server Model

Peer-To-Peer Network
A peer-to-peer (P2P) network is group of computers, each of which acts as a node for sharing
files within the group. Instead of having a central server to act as a shared drive, each
computer acts as the server for the files stored upon it. When a P2P network is established
over the Internet, a central server can be used to index files, or a distributed network can be
established where the sharing of files is split between all the users in the network that are
storing a given file.

PC1 PC2

PC4 PC3

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 Fig 2: Peer to Peer Network
Packet tracer
Packet Tracer is a cross-platform visual simulation tool designed by Cisco Systems that
allows users to create network topologies and imitate modern computer networks. The
software allows users to simulate the configuration of Cisco routers and switches using a
simulated command line interface. Packet Tracer makes use of a drag and drop user interface,
allowing users to add and remove simulated network devices as they see fit. The software is
mainly focused towards Certified Cisco Network Associate Academy students as an
educational tool for helping them learn fundamental CCNA concepts.

Switch
A switch is a multiport bridge with a buffer and a design that can boost its efficiency (a large
number of ports imply less traffic) and performance. A switch is a data link layer device. The
switch can perform error checking before forwarding data that makes it very efficient as it
does not forward packets that have errors and forward good packets selectively to correct port
only.  In other words, switch divides collision domain of hosts, but broadcast domain remains
same.

Fig 3: Switch
Hub
A hub is basically a multiport repeater. A hub connects multiple wires coming from different
branches, for example, the connector in star topology which connects different stations. Hubs
cannot filter data, so data packets are sent to all connected devices.  In other words, collision
domain of all hosts connected through Hub remains one.  Also, they do not have intelligence
to find out best path for data packets which leads to inefficiencies and wastage.

Fig 4: Hub

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LAB ACTIVITIES
In this lab we make design of client server model and peer to peer model using packet tracer
software.
Client/Server model
For client server model we take one server and five client from end device and connect them
with switch. We configure the server ip address as static and turn on the DHCP of server.
Then for all client we configure their ip as DHCP which create the ip of all client
automatically. By sending the data from one computer to another we verify our connection.
We can also provide static ip for all the client.

Fig 5: Client/Server model in Cisco Packet Tracer

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Peer-To-Peer model
For Peer-To-Peer model we connect five peer with switch and establish connection between
them. We have to provide static ip address in this type of model. In this type of model all
connected device have equal priority. All device can access data from all device.

Fig 6: Peer-To-Peer model in Cisco Packet Tracer

DISCUSSION
In this lab, we have designed two different computer architecture models. They are
client/server and peer-to-peer model using packet tracer software. We used different types of
devices, functions and connected them together to form both types of network
simultaneously. While making the client/server model we used client, server, switch, laptops.
And connected all of them to a switch. We can assign DHCP as well as static ip.
For peer to peer model all peers are connected to switch and they can communicate with each
other independently.

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CONCLUSION
Hence we can design basic network architecture using Cisco Packet Tracer and check the
connection between them.

ASSIGMENT
Client/Server Vs Peer-To-Peer
S.N Basis Client/Server Peer-To-Peer
1. Basic There is a specific server and Clients and server are not
specific clients connected to the distinguished; each node act as
server. client and server.
2. Service The client request for service and Each node can request for
server respond with the service. services and can also provide the
services.
3. Data The data is stored in a centralized Each peer has its own data.
server.
4. Expenses The client-server are expensive to Peer-to-peer are less expensive to
implement. implement.
5. Stability Client-Server is more stable and Peer-to-Peer suffers if the
scalable. number of peers increases in the
system.

Switch Vs Hub
S.N Basis Switch Hub
1. Operates on It operates on data link layer It operates on physical layer
2. No. of ports It contain 24-28 ports It contain less than 5 ports
3. Transmission It can communicate in full It can communicate in half
duplex duplex
4. Collision Its different port have separate It has only one collision domain
domain collision domain
5. Filtering It contains filtering of packet It has no filtering of packet
6. Intelligence It is an intelligence device It has no intelligence