Client Server Networks provide services to other computers. To centrally manage security and function, Client/Server networks are most frequent in businesses. These Servers serve Clients. Servers store data for other computers to use. Servers are usually remote-accessible and secure. File servers store files, DHCP servers offer network and internet access information, and many more roles store data. One physical server can provide many services and network functions. The server makes these services network-accessible. Servers are stronger, non-user-accessible computers. This is not necessarily true. A server can be as simple as a desktop computer sharing a local printer with other computers on the network. The network’s print server is this desktop computer. Without this computer, networked PCs cannot print.
What Is a Client-Server Network?
Before diving into the main topic of learning how a client-server network works, let’s first look at the hardware involved.
Client hardware is typically a PC or other mobile device preloaded with network applications. The person on the other end of the computer sends an internet request to the server.
As you might expect, the one on the server-side is a’server’ or data centre that stores vast amounts of data in files, databases, and applications.
Now that we know what hardware is used in a client-server network, let’s look at how it works:
The client-server network operates on the two-way street principle, in which the client sends the requests simultaneously and the server sends an update and appropriate results for the requested queries.
Because a client-server network includes multiple clients and servers, network traffic can be substantial. To conserve network bandwidth, the server disconnects from the client once the job is completed. As a result, the speed with which results are delivered is determined by the client’s and server’s bandwidth efficiency.
The client-server architecture can be used on the internet as well as in a local area network (LAN), such as one in a business or organisation.
Client-Server Applications
A client server application and client devices are used in the client-server model to organize network traffic. To make requests to a server, network clients send messages to it. Servers respond to client requests by processing each one and returning the results. Many clients can be served by a single server, and multiple servers can be networked together in a server pool to handle increased processing loads as the number of clients grows.
A client computer and a server computer are two distinct pieces of hardware, each tailored to a specific purpose. A web client, for example, works best with a large screen display, whereas a web server does not require a display and can be located anywhere in the world.
However, in some cases, a device can serve as both a client and a server for the same application. Furthermore, a device that serves as a server for one application can also serve as a client for other servers serving different applications.
Email, FTP, and web services are some of the most popular internet applications that use the client-server model. Each of these clients has a user interface that is either graphic or text-based, as well as a client application that connects the client to the server. To connect to a server via email or FTP, users enter a computer name (or an IP address) into the interface.
Types of Client-Server Network
- File Servers – These servers provide data storage, retrieval, and movement services. File servers allow users to read, write, exchange, and manage files.
- Printer Server – The printer server is used to control and manage network printing. It also offers Internet users fax services.
- Application Server – With the help of an application server, computers in a network can share expensive software and additional computing power.
- Messaging Server – Used to coordinate user, document, and application interactions. Audio, video, binary, text, and graphics are all examples of data.
- Database Server – It is an application server.
Local Client-Server Networks
On a small scale, many home networks employ client-server systems. Broadband routers, for example, include DHCP servers that assign IP addresses to home computers, known as DHCP clients. Print servers and backup servers are two other types of network servers that can be found in a home.
Benefits of the Client-Server Model
The client-server networking model was initially designed to allow multiple users to access database applications. Client-server networking is more flexible than mainframe networking because connections can be made on-demand and as needed rather than being fixed.
The client-server model supports modular applications, which can make software development easier. Software applications are divided into modular components in two-tier and three-tier client-server systems, and each component is installed on clients or servers specialised for that subsystem.
Peer-to-Peer vs. Client-Server
One method for managing network applications is client-server networking. Peer-to-peer networking, the primary alternative to client-server networking, treats all devices as having equivalent capability rather than specialised client or server roles.
Peer-to-peer networks have advantages over client-server networks, such as the ability to expand the network to handle a large number of clients. Client-server networks have advantages over peer-to-peer networks, such as the ability to manage applications and data centrally. Hardware for the client and server
Client devices are typically PCs that have network software applications installed and use the network to request and receive data. Furthermore, mobile devices serve as clients.
Servers are used to store files and databases, as well as complex applications and websites. Client devices typically have lower-powered central processors, less memory, and smaller disc drives than servers.
Examples of Client-Server Networks
Servers can perform a variety of functions, including hosting websites (web server), file servers, or File Transfer Protocol servers (ftp server). It can provide information to network clients in addition to hosting data. This information can serve several purposes. A Domain Name Service (DNS) server is a server that provides a client computer with the necessary information on how to access a website. When a client requests a website, such as Study.com, the DNS server will provide specific routing information that allows the client to locate and communicate with Study.com’s web server. A Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol Server (DHCP server) provides information about the local network to a client. This would include how to connect to the local network as well as how to connect to other networks such as the Internet.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Client-Server Network
Advantages:
- Even if the client and server are not in close proximity, data can be transmitted and retrieved efficiently.
- A single server that hosts all critical data in one location simplifies data protection and user permissions and authentication management.
- A client-server network can be expanded without causing significant downtime by adding network segments, servers, and computers.
- A client-server system’s nodes are all self-contained, requesting data from the server only, making it simple to update, replace, and relocate nodes.
- The data transferred between the client and server in a client-server network is platform-independent.
Disadvantages:
- Servers can be costly to buy and maintain.
- A network technician is usually required.
- More difficult setups that necessitate expertise.
- The overall setup cost is higher than for peer-to-peer.
- A server failure can cause problems for all computers on the network.
- Client-Server Network Types
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