In which type of network does a centralized computer have control over the entire network?

• A. Peer-to-peer network
• B. Server-based network
• C. Hybrid network
• D. Cloud-based network

Answer: (B)

Centralized control in a network comes from a central server that manages access, resources, and policies for all devices. In a server-based network, one central server handles authentication, file storage, software deployment, security, and administration. Clients connect to this server to use resources, and administrators configure and enforce settings from that single point, so the entire network is governed by that central machine.

Peer-to-peer networks lack a single control point because devices share resources directly with each other. Hybrid networks mix centralized and decentralized elements, so control isn’t entirely centralized. Cloud-based networks rely on remote servers in the cloud, which can centralize management, but the term in this context aligns most clearly with a traditional server-based network where a single central computer oversees the whole network.