PC network
Basically, there are two ways for personalcomputers to collaborate in a PC network: peer-to-peer and non-peer. Equal cooperation, as in peer-to-peer networks, means that each system in the network can offer functions and services to other systems and use the functions and services offered by other systems.
Unequal cooperation, as in client- server architectures, means that there are one or more systems in the network that provide functions and services as the server does, and that everyone else, the clients, can use them. Each alternative has its advantages and disadvantages. Basic services in the network are mainly file and print services i.e. file and print services.
A file service provider generally sacrifices some of its storage media to allow file service users to store and retrieve data from the provider. A print service provider organizes a queue in front of its printer, where print service users from all over the network can place print jobs. All other services in networks can be traced back to these basic services. Historically, the client-server model prevailed at first, mainly because software was needed in the client to use the services of a server. There was a rapid shift to dedicating servers, which means that a server machine does nothing other than implement the services for the network.