Q1.

Using protocol examples, explain a practical application of client server and peer to
peer network? [10]
A client server network is a medium for clients to access resources and services from a server
system. The client server relationship is such that the client initiates requests for services and
servers provides responses, therefore a common communications protocol should be adhered
to. The communication between client-server typically adheres to the TCP/IP protocol, where
the TCP protocol maintains a connection up until the message exchange between the client
and server is over. For instance, a web browser in the user’s computer (the client) employs
the HTTP protocol to request information from a website in a server. Another example is the
email server, using the SMTP protocol: - the client on a remote location issues for a request
to the email for any email to read, then the server responds by sending the requested email to
the client. Mostly, a one-to-many relationship exists between the servers and clients, that is,
one server can service many clients at once. Basically:-
o There is one server (centralised data management) and multiple clients.
o Clients start the connection by sending requests for services to the server, then the
server responds with the services.
o Data is stored only in the server.
o The main focus is information exchange.

A peer to peer network is a file sharing technology that allows users to access mainly
multimedia files such as videos, music, e-books, games, etc. Individual users on the network
are referred to as peers. The peers request files from other peers by establishing TCP or UDP
connections. The peers interact with each other directly and no centralised server is required.
The underlying architecture that is supported by the P2P system decides how to get the IP
addresses of all the peers and the client peer gets to know about other peers that have the
requested information and the transfer takes place directly between two peers. There’s three
such architectures, that is, centralised directory, query flooding and exploiting heterogeneity.
A centralised architecture maintains a huge central server to provide directory service. The
peers update this server with their IP addresses and the files available for sharing. The server
queries the peers from time to time to check if they are still connected. This server is
basically a huge database regarding which file is present at which IP addresses. Napster uses
such an architecture for the purpose of mp3 music distribution.
Query flooding makes use of distributed systems. Peers (nodes) are connected in an overlay
network and if a connection/path exists from one peer to another, it is part of this overlay
network. When a peer requests for a file, the request is forwarded to all neighbouring nodes,
if the nodes do not have the file, they pass the query to the neighbours and so on. When the
requested file is located, query flooding stops and the peer with the file sends back the file
name and size, following the reverse path. If there are multiple query hits, the client selects
from one of these peers. Gnutella was the first decentralised peer to peer network.
Exploiting heterogeneity uses both centralised and query flooding architecture. Queries are
processed in two ways. The first one, super nodes could contact other super nodes and merge
the databases, enlarging the number of peers for the super node. Another way is that, as
queries come in, they are forwarded to neighbour super nodes until there is a hit.
Q2. Explain the role of computer networks in the growth of the knowledge economy
[15]
The knowledge economy is a system of consumption and production that is based on
intellectual capital. It refers to the ability to capitalise on scientific discoveries and basic and
applied research. Computer networks plays an important role in the growth of the knowledge
economy and they have contributed in the:-
Economic Productivity: - Computer networks enable communication with international
suppliers, customers and other important stakeholders. Thus, networks can help developed
nations to open mass, global markets to developing countries. The competitive potential of an
enterprise is directly proportional to the resources accumulated in the network in which the
enterprise participates, the position it occupies in the network, as well as the ability to
mobilise these resources. A specific form of interactions between various economic units in
which the enterprises in question, as a part of the whole gain an advantage in the flexibility of
activities and increase their competitiveness.
Education: - Computer networks can be used to aid teaching and learning in academic
institutions. The internet has become a useful tool for researchers nowadays. For instance, in
Nigeria it has assisted in areas such as Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board,
applications, result checking and admissions. Also, in academia, networks allows database
sharing, conference organising, paper circulation and discussion and collaborative research.
Online learning provides a platform for learners and researchers who cannot attend physical
classes. In accordance with the concept of networking an enterprise should possess an
increasing level of abilities to cooperate with external partners such as universities, research
units, or competitors that possess special skills. External cooperation facilitates the access to
resources of particular knowledge which can be generated by internal structures of individual
organizations. The network of cooperating units constitutes a central location of innovation as
it provides knowledge and other inaccessible resources for individually operating
organizations at the right time.
Healthcare: - Through the implementation of Health Management Information Systems,
computer networking have contributed in the growth of knowledge economy. Production,
dissemination and sharing of health information such as on disease outbreak. For instance,
HealthNet links healthcare workers in Africa with Asian nations with each other and
colleagues and databases in developed countries.
The Banking Sector: - This sector benefited in many ways. E-banking is one of the
noticeable transformation in this sector. Banks are able to electronically interconnect all their
branches to their main/head officers for proffer monitoring of daily operations round the
clock leading to a cleaner and smooth bank operations. Computer networks enhanced
customer services, thereby increasing the market for the banks. For example, the bank alert
system improved the bank security and reduced fraud rate.
Agriculture and Environment: - Agriculture is the main industry in the economy of most
developing countries. Findings from research from Agricultural Institutes are disseminated
through computer networks. Marketing of agricultural products is done through the internet.
Changes in the environment such as drought, desertification and weather forecast are also
done through the use of computer networks. In agriculture, drowns have been employed
irrigations and GPS trackers have been planted in animals to reduce stock theft and accidents
in the roads. Networks enabled the substitution of transportation for telecommunication,
thereby saving a rural farmer and labourer a trip to town.
Business Applications: - Networks are functional in business endeavours in fields such as
accounting, secretarial admission and office management. LAN and internet are particularly
important in the sense that it aids messages/documents communication. Also, in the
marketing field, computer networks plays an important role. E-marketing enables the
handling of transactions and purchases via an online platform. E-advertisement also enables
the promotion of products and services online. This improves the economy by simplifying
access to business information, easing and reducing communication protocols and makes the
whole transaction system simple by introducing cashless process and reducing transport costs
and hardships.
Employment: - The networking industry have seen a lot of interest as a number of people are
invested. Youths in particular, are the major movers in the networking and other digital
related industries as many are engaged in software installation, engineering, maintenance,
web design and development. Unemployment rate have been reduced to a certain degree.
Democracy and Human Rights: - Statistical analysis shows that interconnectivity acts as a
better predictor of democracy than schooling, GDP, life expectancy, ethnical homogeneity or
population particularly in regions of newly emerging democracy. Networks allows the
provision of outside information and ideas, thereby allowing people to coordinate ideas and
political activities within their nation. Several organisations that support human rights and
democracy use the internet. Also, computer networks assists government in policy making.
E-government and e-governance improves information dissemination, availability and
accessibility, thus ensuring freedom of information.
Quality of Life: - Computer networks improves the services in rural areas such as education,
health care and employment, by that, brain drain in rural areas is reduced. Awareness and
communications expands horizons, making people aware of vocational, political, and value
issues and alternatives.
References
Derek H.C. Chen, Dahlman C.J., “The Knowledge Economy, The KAM Methodology and
World Bank Operations”, The World Bank, Washington, 2006,
Gupta, A. and Stahi, D. (2007) “An Economic Approach to Network Computing with Priority
Classes”. Under Review in Management Science, University of Texas at Austin.
Larry Press, The role of computer networks in development, 2014
Plotr Pachura, Networking in knowledge economy(part 1), 2021
Imiefoh, Pedro, Knowledge–Based Economy in Nigeria: The Role of ICT, 2012