Introduction

The client/server model is a form of distributed

computing where one program (the client) communicates with another program (the server) for the purpose of exchanging information
Client/server computing provides the capability to use

the most cost-effective user interface, data storage, connectivity and application services

 The client's responsibility is usually to: Handle the user interface. Translate the user's request into the desired protocol. Send the request to the server. Wait for the server's response. Translate the response into human-readable results. Present the results to the user.

 The server's functions include: Listen for a client's query. Process that query. Return the results back to the client.

C/S Computing

 A typical client/server interaction goes like this: The user runs client software to create a query. The client connects to the server. The client sends the query to the server. The server analyzes the query. The server computes the results of the query. The server sends the results to the client. The client presents the results to the user. Repeat as necessary.

C/S Advantages
Advantages Enhanced Data Sharing Integrated Services Sharing Resources Among Diverse Platforms Data Interchangeability and Interoperability Masked Physical Data Access Location Independence of Data and Processing Centralized Management

 Enhanced Data Sharing

Data that is collected as part of the normal business

process and maintained on a server is immediately available to all authorized users Structured Query Language (SQL) is used to define and manipulate the data provides support for open access from all client processors and software

 Integrated Services
All information that the client (user) is entitled to use is

available at the desktop There is no need to change into terminal mode or log into another processor to access information.

 Sharing Resources Among Diverse Platforms provides opportunities to achieve true open system computing Applications may be created and implemented without regard to the hardware platforms or the technical characteristics of the software Operating systems software and platform hardware are independent of the application and masked by the development tools

 Data Interchangeability and Interoperability Almost all the development tools used for client/server development expect to reference a back-end database server accessed through SQL

 Masked Physical Data Access When SQL is used for data access, users can access information from databases anywhere in the network. From the local PC, local server, or wide area network (WAN) server, data access is supported with the developer and user using the same data request. The only noticeable difference may be performance degradation if the network bandwidth is inadequate.

 Location Independence of Data and Processing From the machine-centered computing era of the 1970s and 1980s to a new era in which PC-familiar users demand systems that are user-centered Users log into an application from the desktop with no concern for the location or technology of the processors involved Today's users expect a standard look and feel.

 Centralized Management As processing steers away from the central data center to the remote office and plant, workstation server, and local area network (LAN) reliability must approach that provided today by the centrally located mini- and mainframe computers. The most effective way to ensure this is through the provision of monitoring and support from these same central locations

C/S Disadvantages
Maintenance problems are more difficult with different

vendors and interconnected systems

Difficult to find support tools for applications developed

in-house
Requires different skills sets from software developers

(Windows, Mac, RDBMS rather than COBOL, C)

 Congestion in Network
Too many requests from the clients may lead to congestion

Client-Server architecture is not robust

if the server fails, the whole network goes down

Cost It is very expensive to install and manage this type of computing Professional Skills required for network management You need professional IT people to maintain the servers and other technical details of network