Client-server Architecture / - Splits the jobs required of a computer among several independent “clients”.
- The clients can be different from one another, with each focusing on one or more specific tasks.
- Security of data is controlled by the server, which generally has better security than the average computer.
- Backups are easy to create as all the data is at one location.
- The majority of settings on the network are controlled by the server, allowing global changes to be made from one location. / - If the server fails, the entire network fails (though clients can still perform basic functions).
- High costs.
- The server can become congested and overloaded.
- Some applications may not cooperate or work with this kind of structure.
- If the clients are vastly different, a variety of skill sets are required.
Thin Client Architecture / - Don’t require disks or supporting application memory.
- High protection against viruses since no application data exists on the server.
- Fewer points of contact with processing activity mean less chance of errors.
- Several users can run the same program simultaneously, but the program only needs to be loaded once with a central server. / - Servers require a high processing level.
- Little or no support for multimedia applications.
- If the server fails, the clients cannot even perform basic functions
- Failure of the network can result in lost work.
Terms Relating to Client-Server Processing
File Server- A controlling computer in a network that stores the programs and data shared by users. The files stored on this server can be retrieved by any node provided that it has access rights.
Print Server- A computer in a network that controls one or more printers and stores data to be printed. A print server can be used with or without a file server.
Mail Server- A computer in a network that provides e-mail facilities. It stores incoming mail for distribution to users and forwards outgoing mail to appropriate devices.
Web Server- A computer in a network that provides a connection to the Internet. All the Internet traffic is directed through this server.
Bridge- A combination of hardware and software to link two similar networks. It often connects LAN’s that use the same protocol, such as Ethernet. A bridge examines each data packet on a LAN and forwards any data packets addressed to a connected LAN.
Gateway- a combination of hardware and software to link two different types of networks. This usually involves converting different protocols.
Network Operating System- An operating system designed to support computers connected on a LAN. One part of the network operating system resides in each node and another resides in the server.
Case Study- Is DomiKnow an Extranet?
No, DomiKnow is not an extranet. Extranets exist for the purpose of educating people about an organization. The audiences of extranets is typically people with links to the organization but are not directly part of it, and thus extranets typically contain relevant information about an organization with an easy-to-use interface.
DomiKnow is more likely an intranet. An intranet is a private network which aims to share information and computing resources among the employees of an organization. Although DomiKnow can accessed by anyone, it is difficult to get anywhere past its home page unless the user is a student, making it a private network. Likewise, it exists for the purpose of sharing information and resources. Also, like most intranets, it has a connection to the Internet. DomiKnow certainly has more in common with an intranet than with an extranet.