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What is Client-Server Architecture?

Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 5:48 pm
by dona47
Hi

Under the structure of the client-server architecture, a business's computer network will have a server computer, which functions as the "brains" of the organization, and a group of client computers, which are commonly called workstations. The server part of the client-server architecture will be a large-capacity computer, perhaps even a mainframe, with a large amount of data and functionality stored on it. The client portions of the client-server architecture are smaller computers that employees use to perform their computer-based responsibilities.

Servers commonly contain data files and applications that can be accessed across the network, by workstations or employee computers. An employee who wants to access company-wide data files, for instance, would use his or her client computer to access the data files on the server. Other employees may use a common-access application by accessing the server through their client computers.

This type of server is called an application server. It takes full advantage of the client-server architecture by using the server as a storage device for applications and requiring the clients to log in to the server in order to use those applications. Examples of this kind of application are numerous; among the most popular are word processors, spreadsheets, and graphic design programs. In each case, the use of the applications illustrates the client-server architecture.

Thanks