---
title: "Client-server vs peer-to-peer"
subject: "Computer Networks and Security"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_7/computer_networks_and_security:client-server-vs-p2p"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/computer_networks_and_security/client-server-vs-p2p
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Client-server vs peer-to-peer

Computer Networks and Security · Chapter 1: Introduction to Computer Network

- Asked in: 2074 Chaitra, 3 marks
- Video: [Peer to Peer Network vs Client Server Network: Key Differences and Comparisons | Computer Network](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tP1ZrSEUlkg) — Engineering Funda
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/computer_networks_and_security/client-server-vs-p2p
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/computer_networks_and_security/chapter-1

## Question

Distinguish between Client-Server network and Peer-to-Peer network.

## Short answer

In client-server, a dedicated server provides centralized services with strong security and higher cost, suitable for large networks; in P2P, all nodes are equal with decentralized control, weak security, and lower cost, suitable for small networks. Examples include web versus BitTorrent.

## Answer

In a **client-server network** a dedicated, powerful server provides resources and services to many clients. In a **peer-to-peer (P2P) network** every computer is equal and can act as both client and server.

| Point | Client-Server | Peer-to-Peer |
|---|---|---|
| Role of computers | Fixed: server serves, client requests | Every node is both client and server |
| Control | Centralised | Decentralised |
| Security | Strong, managed centrally | Weak, each user manages own |
| Cost | High (server hardware and administrator) | Low |
| Backup | Centralised, easy | Each machine separately |
| Scalability | Good for large networks | Suitable for small networks (up to about 10 nodes) |
| Failure | Server failure stops service | Failure of one peer has small effect |
| Performance | Server can be a bottleneck, but stable | Slows down as peers become busy |
| Examples | Web, email, banking systems | BitTorrent, small home or office sharing |

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Which statement about control is correct?
   A. Client-server is decentralised; P2P is centralised
   B. Client-server is centralised; P2P is decentralised
   C. Both are centralised
   D. Both are decentralised
   Answer: B. A client-server network is controlled centrally by the server, whereas peers in P2P are equal. (Key point: Control)

2. What happens if the main node fails?
   A. Server failure stops service in client-server; one peer failure has small effect in P2P
   B. Peer failure stops all of P2P; server failure has small effect
   C. Neither is affected
   D. Both stop entirely
   Answer: A. The server is a single point of failure, while P2P has no such central node. (Key point: Failure impact)

3. Which fits a small network of about 10 nodes with low cost?
   A. Client-server
   B. Peer-to-peer
   C. Neither
   D. Both equally with high cost
   Answer: B. P2P is cheap and suited to small networks, while client-server needs server hardware and an administrator. (Key point: Suitability and cost)

## Related in Computer Networks and Security

- [Server before client; TCP reliability](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fcomputer_networks_and_security%3Atcp-server-before-client-reliability) — Computer Networks and Security, chapter 5, asked 2×
- [Features of client/server architecture](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fcomputer_networks_and_security%3Aclient-server-features) — Computer Networks and Security, chapter 1
- [HTTP request served by server](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fcomputer_networks_and_security%3Ahttp-request-served) — Computer Networks and Security, chapter 6
- [Web and file server communication](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fcomputer_networks_and_security%3Aweb-file-server-communication) — Computer Networks and Security, chapter 6
- [Proxy server and bandwidth reduction](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fcomputer_networks_and_security%3Aproxy-server-bandwidth) — Computer Networks and Security, chapter 6

## Related in other subjects

- [Internet vs WWW; client-server paradigm](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fweb_technology%3Ainternet-vs-www-client-server) — Web Technology, chapter 1
- [Client-side versus server-side scripting](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fweb_technology%3Aclient-vs-server-side-scripting) — Web Technology, chapter 3, asked 3×
- [Short note: Client-Server and Master-Slave](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fbig_data_technologies%3Ashort-note-client-server-master-slave) — Big Data Technologies, chapter 1
- [Client/server architecture and FTP operation](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Finternet_and_intranet%3Aclient-server-ftp) — Internet and Intranet, chapter 3