OCR GCSE Computer Science Complete Practice Exam 2025

In a client-server network, centralized data storage can indeed be considered a disadvantage due to potential single points of failure and issues related to data security. Centralized storage means that all data is stored in one location, which can lead to vulnerabilities; if the server goes down, clients cannot access the data. Additionally, this centralization can create a bottleneck in network traffic, especially if many clients are trying to access or update the same data simultaneously, resulting in reduced performance.

Furthermore, all client requests are directed to the server, which means the server must be adequately equipped to handle such loads. This can increase the need for robust server management and infrastructure, which could lead to higher investments in maintenance and technology. By contrast, decentralized systems can distribute the load and contribute to more resilience and redundancy, which mitigates some risks associated with centralized storage systems.