Peer-to-Peer Model

In a peer-to-peer model, a station can be both a client and a server. No statios are specifically designed as either a client or a server. If a station asks for a service from another station, the asking station is a client and the responding station is a server. In other words, if station A needs to copy a file from station B, station A runs a client file-transfer program and station B runs a server file-transfer program. One moment later, if station B wants to copy a file from station A, station B runs the client program and station A runs the server program. Each station should be running the server program all the time, and the client programs only when needed. This model can be used for special purposes such as small group of users working on a project that requires shared access to resources. For this reason, the peer-to-peer model is sometimes called the workgroup model.