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Client Server Architecture is a computing model in which the server hosts, delivers and manages most of the resources and services to be consumed by the client. This type of architecture has one or more client computers connected to a central server over a network or internet connection. This system shares computing resources. Client/server architecture is also known as a networking computing model or client/server network because all the requests and services are delivered over a network.[1]
Figure 1. source: Practice
The Purpose of Client/Server Architecture[3]We are in an era where information technology plays a critical role in business applications, considered as an area an organization would highly invest in order to widen the opportunities available to compete the global market. “A competitive global economy will ensure obsolescence and obscurity to those who cannot or are unwilling to compete”(Client/Server Architecture,2011), according to this statement it’s necessary for organizations sustain its market position by reengineering prevailing organizational structures and business practices to achieve their business goals. In short it’s a basic need to evolve with the change of technological aspects. Therefore organizations should undergo a mechanism to retrieve and process its corporate data to make business procedures more efficient to excel or to survive in the global market. The client/server model brings out a logical perspective of distributed corporative processing where a server handles and processes all client requests. This can be also viewed as a revolutionary milestone to the data processing industry. “Client/server computing is the most effective source for the tools that empower employees with authority and responsibility.”(Client/Server Architecture,2011) “Workstation power, workgroup empowerment, preservation of existing investments, remote network management, and market-driven business are the forces creating the need for client/server computing”. (Client/Server Architecture,2011) Client/server computing has a vast progression in the computer industry leaving any area or corner untouched. Often hybrid skills are required for the development of client/server applications including database design, transaction processing, communication skills, graphical user interface design and development etc. Advanced applications require expertise of distributed objects and component infrastructures. Most commonly found client/server strategy today is PC LAN implementation optimized for the usage of group/batch. This has basically given threshold to many new distributed enterprises as it eliminates host-centric computing. Characteristics of a Client-Server Architecture[4]
Three-tier Client Server Architecture (See Figure 2.) [5]The traditional client/server architecture involves two levels, a client level and a server level. Another common design of client/server systems uses three tiers:
Figure 2 source: IBM Client Server Vs. Peer to Peer (See Figure 3.) [6]The main difference between client-server and peer to peer systems is that in the client-server architecture, there are designated clients that request for services and servers that provide services, but in peer to peer systems, peers act as both service providers and service consumers. Further, client-server systems require central file server and they are expensive to implement than peer to peer systems. On the other hand, in the client-server system, a dedicated file server provides level of access to the clients, providing better security than peer to peer systems where security is handled by the end users. Further, peer to peer networks suffer in performance as the number of nodes increase, but client-server systems are more stable and could be scaled as much as you need. Therefore, selecting one over the other is dependent on the environment that you need to implement. The Figure 3 depicts client server architecture model in two different modes or types. There are different types of architectures based on client server model viz. distributed, peer to peer etc.
Figure 3. source: RF Wireless World Advantages and Disadvantages of the Client Server Architecture[7]
See AlsoSoftware Architecture References
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