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Q1A · Client-server and peer-to-peer

Re-exam · 4 February 2026

TEE · Actual TEE paper · all questions · current syllabus 702AI0C023

Actual PYQ · Q1A. An organization plans to deploy an online collaboration platform. Apply the concepts of the Client–Server model and the Peer-to-Peer model to explain how each could be implemented in this scenario with respect to performance, scalability, and reliability. [5 marks]

Answer

In a client-server design, users’ clients contact designated service processes. In peer-to-peer (P2P), participating hosts can supply and consume resources. These are application organizations, not different physical cable types.

Swipe across the diagram to read its labels ↔
Client-server and peer-to-peer organization
Diagram: Client-server and peer-to-peer organization. Labels: Client-server and peer-to-peer organization | Client-server and peer-to-peer organization | Client-server | Peer-to-peer | Server | C1 | C2 | P1 | P2 | P3 | Peers can supply and consume. A central service can be replicated.
Central service versus cooperating peers.
PointClient-serverPeer-to-peer
RolesClients request; designated servers provide servicesPeers can both request and provide resources
ControlCentral policies, accounts and backups are easier to coordinateControl and copies distributed among peers
PerformancePredictable with adequate server capacity; server may bottleneckResources grow with peers, but peer capacity/availability vary
ScalabilityScale servers, replicas, caching and load distributionMore peers can contribute capacity; coordination becomes harder
ReliabilityOne unreplicated server is a failure point; replication helpsLoss of one peer need not stop system if useful replicas remain
SecurityCentral access control and monitoringTrust and consistent access policy are harder
Best fitManaged collaboration, databases, login servicesDistributed content sharing among participating peers

Apply to the platform

Central servers can authenticate users, maintain the authoritative shared document and control versions. The organization must provision capacity, replicate data and avoid a single server failure. P2P can exchange large files or local edits among peers and distribute load, but needs discovery, conflict resolution, trust and availability strategies. A hybrid can keep account control centralized while distributing selected content.

Source: Re-exam · 4 February 2026, original question paper page 1. Original marks retained; solution independently authored.