Understanding Networking Basics
Network Types
Network Types
A network links two or more computers together to share resources and peripherals (such as disk drives, printers, and data). There are two categories of networks: peer-to-peer and client-server.
Peer-to-Peer Networks
The simplest peer-to-peer network has two workstations connected together, each able to use the resources of the other. All workstations on a peer-to-peer network are (or can be) equal. No one workstation is designated as the main computer or central point of control.
Client-Server Networks
The client-server network has at least one workstation configured as a NetWare server. As shown in Figure 1-1 the server is a computer running the network operating system. The server controls communication and shared network resources. The client workstations are the individual computers connected to the network.
Workstations | NetWare server | | | | Printer |
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Data Disk
resources storage
Figure 1-1 | A Simple Client-Server Network |
