Lesson’s Objectives

 Applications and features of network architectures:

 Peer to peer
 Client to server
 Thin client

 Modern trends (applications and features of):

 Virtualisation
 Cloud computing
 Software-defined networking (SDN)
 Storage-defined networks
 Internet of Things (IoT)
 Network Architectures
https://student.cs.uwaterloo.ca/~cs446/1171/Arch_Design_Activity/Peer2Peer.pdf

Peer to peer:
Example – Architecture which is used to exchange data between users without the need (in most cases) of any centralisation. For
example, uTorrent applications allows individuals to exchange data between each other, by seeding (uploading) or leeching
(receiving) data of a particular file (movie, game or other).

Advantages:
This architecture is resilient to change because it is considered dynamic. Users join the data transfer and leave continuously. Therefore, if a seeding person
leaves the transmission, performance of the transfer would not get affected to a noticeable scale.

Each exchange is different and participation towards particular files sending or receiving is monitored to identify IP addresses. Because of how rapid the
data packet distribution change is, it is hard to track individual system’s contribution.

Disadvantages:
Because of the lack of security and freedom of data transmission. This architecture is prone to cyber-attacks and once one of the systems within the file’s
exchange is affected, anyone contributing will be affected within seconds.

Because of the monitoring capabilities by this network being limited, illegal and immoral activities can be performed with little to no evidence produced in
the process when needed.
 Network Architectures
https://cs.uwaterloo.ca/~m2nagapp/courses/CS446/1195/Arch_Design_Activity/ClientServer.pdf

Client to server:
Example – This is the most widely used network architecture due to its nature of being centralised, easy to monitor and manage.
For example, game servers often utilise these network architectures when communicating between the client (game) and the data
storage facility (server) to save progress within the game.

Advantages:
Network is easy to manage and monitor regarding malicious behaviour. Therefore, security implementations can act and perform necessary changes to
avoid or block any potential damage.

Network is capable of restricting or providing permissions for selection of devices, roles, authentication types etc. Allowing more flexibility and
modification to achieve higher level of security.

Disadvantages:
Significantly more expensive to setup and maintain because of the need of physical hardware implementation. In comparison to peer to peer which
does not require facilitation other than a website to provide access to the data exchange.

Because of network’s nature, DDoS attacks can be used effectively on single or selective range of devices to suspend or stop entirely their performance.
 Network Architectures
https://clearcube.com/thin-clients/what-is-a-thin-client/

Thin client:
Example – Thin clients are virtually (cloud-based). Therefore, companies such as game development ones use these types of
servers on launch because they anticipate high inflow of traffic (players). Developers also anticipate decrease which in turn is
easier to achieve by reallocating resources by reducing them without having to suspend physical hardware.

Advantages:
Flexible in terms of resource management when needed additional resources can be allocated, when no longer needed, resources can be reduced
without hardware implications.

Security of cloud-based networks is considered more secure because of their nature of being centralised and not physically accessible.

Disadvantages:
Because thin clients depend on the network they are facilitated on they are high dependant. If the network fails, the rest of the network is affected
in performance bottleneck or complete suspension of the network.

Cost of cloud-based (thin client) networks is high in comparison to other networks because of its dynamic nature and continues fluctuation in terms
of resource accessibility at any given time.
 Modern Trends
https://www.vmware.com/topics/glossary/content/network-virtualization

Virtualisation:
Example –

Advantages:


Disadvantages:



 Modern Trends
https://www.vmware.com/topics/glossary/content/cloud-networking
Cloud computing:
Example –

Advantages:


Disadvantages:



 Modern Trends
https://www.vmware.com/topics/glossary/content/software-defined-networking
Software-defined networking (SDN):
Example -

Advantages:


Disadvantages:



 Modern Trends

https://searchstorage.techtarget.com/definition/storage-area-network-SAN
Storage-defined networks:
Example –

Advantages:


Disadvantages:



 Modern Trends

https://www.wired.co.uk/article/internet-of-things-what-is-explained-iot
Internet of things (IoT):
Example -

Advantages:


Disadvantages:
