What is Client Server System?

Client Server System is a distributed cooperative processing environment that provides a single-system image to the user.

All client/server systems have the following distinguishing characteristics:

Client/Server system operation

A client/server system operates as outlined in the following diagram:

The client sends a request to the server using its IP address and the port, which is reserved for a particular service running on the server. The server receives the request and responds using the client IP address and port

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Introduction to 2-Tier Architecture

2 tier architecture is used to descri!e client/server systems where the client requests resources and the server responds directly to the request, using its own resources. This means that the server does not call on another application in order to provide part of the service.

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Introduction to 3-Tier Architecture

In " tier architecture, there is an intermediary level, meaning the architecture is generally split up !etween: #. A client, i.e. the computer which requests the resources, equipped with a user interface $usually a we! !rowser% for presentation purposes 2. The application server $also called middleware%, whose tas& it is to provide the requested resources, !ut !y calling on another server ". The data server, which provides the application server with the data it requires

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Comparing both types of architecture

2 tier architecture is therefore a client server architecture where the server is versatile, i.e. it is capa!le of directly responding to all of the client's resource requests. In " tier architecture however, the server level applications are remote from one another, i.e. each server is specialised with a certain tas& $for e(ample: we! server/data!ase server%. " tier architecture provides:

A greater degree of fle(i!ility Increased security, as security can !e defined for each service, and at each level Increased performance, as tas&s are shared !etween servers

Advantages of Client/Server Architecture

The client/server model is particularly recommended for networ&s requiring a high degree of relia!ility, the main advantages !eing:

)hare resources
connect resources * users

Transparency
+ide internal details with respect to some property

,penness
-(plicit !oundaries

)cala!ility
si.e, location, administration

Performance
concurrency, centrali.ed compute power

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