 Computer Network Architecture

Computer Network Architecture is

defined as the physical and logical design of the software, hardware, protocols, and
media of the transmission of data. Simply we can say that how computers are
organized and how tasks are allocated to the computer.
The two types of network architectures are used:

 What is Peer-To-Peer Network

1. Peer-To-Peer network is a network in which all the computers are linked
together with equal privilege and responsibilities for processing the data.
2. Peer-To-Peer network is useful for small environments, usually up to 10
computers.
3. Peer-To-Peer network has no dedicated server.
4. Special permissions are assigned to each computer for sharing the resources,
but this can lead to a problem if the computer with the resource is down.
 History of peer-to-peer Networks
Before the development of P2P, USENET came into existence in 1979. The
network enabled the users to read and post messages. Unlike the forums we use
today, it did not have a central server. It is used to copy the new messages to all the
servers of the node.
1. In the 1980s the first use of P2P networks occurred after personal
computers were introduced.
2. In August 1988, the internet relay chat was the first P2P network built to
share text and chat.
3. In June 1999, Napster was developed which was a file-sharing P2P
software. It could be used to share audio files as well. This software was
shut down due to the illegal sharing of files. But the concept of network
sharing i.e. P2P became popular.
4. In June 2000, Gnutella was the first decentralized P2P file sharing network.
This allowed users to access files on other users’ computers via a designated
folder.

 Peer -To-Peer Architecture

1. Centralized Directory

2. Query Flooding

3. Exploiting Heterogeneity
1. Centralized Directory
A centralized Directory is somewhat like client-server
architecture in the sense that it maintains a huge central server to provide directory
service. All the peers inform this central server of their IP address and the files they
are making available for sharing. The server queries the peers at regular intervals to
make sure if the peers are still connected or not. So basically, this server maintains
a huge database regarding which file is present at which IP addresses. The first
system which made use of this method was Napster, for Mp3 distribution.

 Working of Centralized Directory

1. Now whenever a requesting peer comes in, it sends its query to the server.

2. Since the server has all the information of its peers, so it returns the IP
addresses of all the peers having the requested file to the peer.

3. Now the file transfer takes place between these two peers.
The major problem with such an architecture is that there is a single point of
failure. If the server crashes, the whole Peer -to-Peer network crashes. Also, since
all the processing is to be done by a single server, so a huge amount of the database
must be maintained and regularly updated.
2. Query Flooding
Unlike the centralized approach, this method makes use of
distributed systems. In this, the peers are supposed to be connected to an overlay
network. It means if a connection/path exists from one peer to another, it is a part
of this overlay network. In this overlay network, peers are called nodes, and the
connection between peers is called an edge between the nodes, thus resulting in a
graph-like structure. Gnutella was the first decentralized peer-to-peer network.
 Working of Query Flooding

1. Now when one peer requests for some file, this request is sent to all its
neighboring nodes i.e. to all nodes connected to this node. If those nodes
don’t have the required file, they pass on the query to their neighbors and so
on. This is called query flooding.
2. When the peer with the requested file is found (referred to as query hit), the
query flooding stops and it sends back the file name and file size to the client,
thus following the reverse path.
3. If there are multiple query hits, the client selects from one of these peers.
3. Exploiting Heterogeneity
This P2P architecture makes use of both the above-
discussed systems. It resembles a distributed system like Gnutella because there is
no central server for query processing. But unlike Gnutella, it does not treat all its
peers equally. The peers with higher bandwidth and network connectivity are at a
higher priority and are called group leaders/supernodes. The rest of the peers are
assigned to these supernodes. These supernodes are interconnected and the peers
under these supernodes inform their respective leaders about their connectivity, IP
address, and the files available for sharing.

 Working of Exploiting Heterogeneity

1. This structure can process the queries in two ways.

2. The first one is that the supernodes could contact other supernodes and merge
their databases with their database. Thus, this supernode now has information
about a large number of peers.
3. Another approach is that when a query comes in, it is forwarded to the
neighboring super nodes until a match is found, just like in Gnutella. Thus,
query flooding exists but with limited scope as each supernode has many
child peers. Hence, such a system exploits the heterogeneity of the peers by
designating some of them as group leaders/supernodes and others as their
child peers.

 Types of P2P networks

 1. Unstructured P2P networks:
In this type of Peer-to-peer network, each device
can make an equal contribution. This network is easy to build as devices can
be connected randomly in the network. But being unstructured, it becomes
difficult to find content. For example, Napster, Gnutella, etc.

2. Structured P2P networks:

It is designed using software that creates a virtual
layer to put the nodes in a specific structure. These are not easy to set up but
can give easy access to users to the content. For example, P-Grid, Kademlia,
etc.

3. Hybrid P2P networks:

It combines the features of both P2P networks and
client-server architecture. An example of such a network is to find a node
using the central server.

 Features of Peer-to-Peer network

1. These networks do not involve a large number of nodes, usually less than
12. All the computers in the network store their own data but this data is
accessible by the group.
2. Unlike client-server networks, Peer-to-Peer uses resources and provides
them. This results in additional resources if the number of nodes increases.
It requires specialized software. It allows resource sharing among the
networks.
3. Since the nodes act as clients and servers, there is a constant threat of
attack.
4. Almost all OS today support Peer-to-Peer networks.

 Peer-to-Peer Network Architecture

 1. In the P2P network architecture, the computers connect with each other in
a workgroup to share files, and access to internet and printers.
2. Each computer in the network has the same set of responsibilities and
capabilities.
3. Each device in the network serves as both a client and server.
4. The architecture is useful in residential areas, small offices, or small
companies where each computer act as an independent workstation and
stores the data on its hard drive.
5. Each computer in the network has the ability to share data with other
computers in the network.
6. The architecture is usually composed of workgroups of 12 or more
computers.

 Peer-to-Peer Network Working

 1. If the peer-to-peer software is not already installed, then the user first has
to install the peer-to-peer software on his computer.
2. This creates a virtual network of peer-to-peer application users.
3. The user then downloads the file, which is received in bits that come from
multiple computers in the network that have already that file.
4. The data is also sent from the user’s computer to other computers in the
network that ask for the data that exist on the user’s computer.
5. Thus, it can be said that in the peer-to-peer network the file transfer load is
distributed among the peer computers.

 How to Use a Peer-to-Peer Network Efficiently

1. Share and download legal files:

Double-check the files that are being
downloaded before sharing them with other employees. It is very important
to make sure that only legal files are downloaded.

2. Design strategy for sharing:

Design a strategy that suits the underlying
architecture to manage applications and underlying data.

3. Keep security practices up to date:

Keep a check on the cyber security
threats which might prevail in the network. Invest in good quality software
that can sustain attacks and prevent the network from being exploited.
Update your software regularly.

4. Scan all downloads:

This is used to constantly check and scan all the files
for viruses before downloading them. This helps to ensure that safe files are
being downloaded and in case, any file with potential threat is detected then
report to the IT Staff.

5. Proper shutdown of Peer-to-Peer networking after use:

 It is very important
to correctly shut down the software to avoid unnecessary access to third
persons to the files in the network. Even if the windows are closed after file
sharing but the software is still active then the unauthorized user can still
gain access to the network which can be a major security breach in the
network.

 Applications of P2P Network

Below are some of the common uses of P2P network:
1. File sharing:
Peer-to-Peer network is the most convenient, cost-efficient
method for file sharing for businesses. Using this type of network there is
no need for intermediate servers to transfer the file.

2. Blockchain:
The Peer-to-Peer architecture is based on the concept of
decentralization. When a peer-to-peer network is enabled on the
blockchain it helps in the maintenance of a complete replica of the
records ensuring the accuracy of the data at the same time. At the same
time, peer-to-peer networks ensure security also.

3. Direct messaging:
Peer-to-Peer network provides a secure, quick, and
efficient way to communicate. This is possible due to the use of
encryption at both the peers and access to easy messaging tools.

4. Collaboration:
The easy file sharing also helps to build collaboration
among other peers in the network.

5. File sharing networks:

Many Peer-to-Peer file sharing networks like G2,
and donkey have popularized peer-to-peer technologies.

6. Content distribution:
 In a Peer-to-Peer network, unlined the client-server
system so the clients can both provide and use resources. Thus, the
content serving capacity of the Peer-to-Peer networks can increase as
more users begin to access the content.

7. IP Telephony:
Skype is one good example of a Peer-to-Peer application
in VoIP.

 Advantages of Peer-to-Peer Network

1. Easy to maintain:
The network is easy to maintain because each node is
independent of the other.
2. Less costly:
Since each node acts as a server, therefore the cost of the
central server is saved. Thus, there is no need to buy an expensive server.
3. No network manager:
In a Peer-to-Peer network since each node
manages his or her own computer, thus there is no need for a network
manager.
4. Adding nodes is easy:
Adding, deleting, and repairing nodes in this
network is easy.
5. Less network traffic:
In a Peer-to-Peer network, there is less network
traffic than in a client/ server network.

 Disadvantages of P2P Network

1. Data is vulnerable:
Because of no central server, data is always vulnerable to
getting lost because of no backup.
2. Less secure:
It becomes difficult to secure the complete network because
each node is independent.
 3. Slow performance:
In a peer-to-peer network, each computer is accessed by
other computers in the network which slows down the performance of the
user.
4. Files hard to locate:
In a peer-to-peer network, the files are not centrally
stored, rather they are stored on individual computers which makes it
difficult to locate the files.