Lesson Plan

• Describe the architecture of client‑server and peer‑to‑peer (P2P) networks.
• Compare the advantages, disadvantages, and typical applications of each model.
• Explain how protocols and bandwidth influence performance in both models.
• Analyse real‑world scenarios and select the most appropriate networking model.

• Projector and screen
• Whiteboard and markers
• Handout with client‑server and P2P diagrams
• Network simulation software (e.g., Cisco Packet Tracer)
• Laptops/tablets for students
• Worksheet for model comparison activity

Begin with a quick poll: “Which everyday apps do you think rely on a central server?” Connect this to prior knowledge of basic networking concepts. Explain that by the end of the lesson students will be able to identify, compare, and justify the use of client‑server and P2P models.

1. Do‑now (5') – short quiz on client vs. server definitions.
2. Mini‑lecture (10') – overview of client‑server architecture with a projected diagram.
3. Live demo (10') – show a web browser requesting a page from a local server.
4. Peer‑to‑Peer explanation (10') – illustrate BitTorrent’s mesh network and discuss discovery mechanisms.
5. Group activity (15') – students complete a comparison worksheet, listing pros, cons, and real‑world examples for each model.
6. Check for understanding (5') – Kahoot quiz or exit‑ticket question summarising key differences.

Recap the core characteristics of client‑server and P2P models, emphasizing when each is most effective. Students submit an exit ticket naming one service and justifying the chosen model. For homework, each learner researches a new online service and writes a brief paragraph explaining which network model it uses and why.