What is client server network? What are its advantages and limitations?

As Information Technology continues to develop swiftly, a client-server network has soon ousted past forms of networking on a computer to become the most extensively utilized one. A client-server network can be employed by desktop computers and laptops, as well as other mobile devices that are accurately implemented.

What is Client-Server Network?

A client-server network is defined as a particular kind of online network composed of a singular central computer working as a server that regulates many other computers, named as clients. By obtaining the server, clients are then capable to get shared files and information stored on the serving computer. Moreover, client-server networks are very alike in nature to peer-to-peer networks with the difference that it is only the server that can start a particular transaction.

Characteristics of Client-Server Network

A client-server model can be executed into a single computer system but is most generally employed over many diverse sites. This makes it likely for many computers or people to interconnect and distribute information.

As corporations grow and people are now serving collectively across large distances, a client-server model empowers them to join a common or shared database or program. For example, users log into a bank’s server with their inquiries, and then the server advances to carry them their message.

Advantages of Client-Server Network

The main advantage of the client-server network is supporting a shared database or site to be obtained or updated by many computers while keeping only one control center for the operation. This makes it feasible for businesses to share information, upload data, or reach the program without being bound down to one particular computer site. As the information is obtained online, a client-server model gives more power and control over what is being kept.

Additionally, this model has improved security, usually with encryption, making sure that the data is only available to authorized people. A client-server model also makes it simpler to back up valuable information than if it was collected across many devices. A network administrator can easily configure a backup for the server, and if the first data were to be destroyed, he or she would only want to recover the single backup.

Limitations of Client-Server Network

Under a client-server model, the main drawback is the chance of a system overload due to not having sufficient supplies to serve all the clients. If too many distinct clients try to reach the shared network at the same time, there may be a crash or a slowing down of the connection. Moreover, if the network is down, this impairs access to the information from any site or client wherever. This can be harmful to important businesses that are incapable to reach their appropriate data.

Network and Server Security

Security is usually considered only in terms of preserving software. But, any security plan should be hierarchical at each level. Servers must be placed in secure, access-controlled surroundings. Only authorized staff should be permitted to manage and control it.

Typically, server security is the supervising of the path to the database server itself. The server must be connected to a constant power supply that gives alternate power if there’s a difficulty with the supply. This allows the server to shut down in a way that preserves data and creates the slightest amount of harm. They should comply with market standards in password policy to guard database access.

Encryption also preserves data through superior DES (Data Encryption Standard) mechanisms or cryptograms. The degree of encryption depends on state standards. Database servers should not be noticeable to the world.

For security and performance concerns, the database backend should not be on the same machine as the web server with its open links. To secure the database, the server should be configured to allow only granted IP addresses. If the database is a backend for a web server, the IP address of the web server should be the only one that can reach the database server. Another security gap in servers arises from more dynamic applications that permit online upgrades and can infiltrate the database server.

Networks are exposed to trespassers watch networks that can hold delicate business information, passwords, and other likely company flaws. Secure networks should adhere to four principles that form a ‘trusted computing base’ (TCB). These are:

1. Identification, authorization,
2. Discretionary control
3. Audit, and
4. Object re-utilization

Identification defines a user’s individuality. The user is then validated through a password or the conclusion of a registration form or some other access-controlling stop. Authentication also assures the identity stays steady across time. Authorization outlines what the user is authorized to do, what processes users allowed. Discretionary Access Control (DAC) is a security system that supplies users, processes, and devices specified support to obtain access to system resources in precisely defined procedures.

Audits are systematic assessments of the security of a company’s information arrangements. Audits analyze the most reliable physical configuration of hardware and software connections, how data is managed, and user practices. Object reuse takes an accommodation medium that comprises one or more objects. It preserves network security by assuring that all remaining data from earlier objects are eliminated before the storage is re-assigned.

Major Differences Between Client-Server and Peer-to-Peer Network

• The major difference between Client-Server and Peer-to-Peer network is that there is a dedicated server and particular clients in the client-server network design at the same time in the peer-to-peer network each node can operate as both server and client.
• In the client-server model, the server gives services to the client. But, in peer-to-peer, each peer can give services and can also ask for the services.
• In the client-server model, sharing information is more significant whereas, in peer-to-peer model connectivity among peers is more prominent.
• In the client-server model, data is collected on a centralized server whereas, in peer-to-peer every peer has its private data.
• In the peer-to-peer model, the servers are divided in a system, so it is not likely to get jammed, at the same time in the client-server model, there is a single server serving the clients, so there are higher chances of the server becoming bottlenecked.
• The client-server model is more costly to execute than peer-to-peer.
• The client-server model is more scalable and durable than peer-to-peer.

The client-server model is a shared application arrangement that divides tasks or workloads between the providers of a resource or service known as servers and service requesters known as clients. Usually, clients and servers communicate over a computer network on separate hardware, but both client and server may reside in the same system.

A server host operates one or more server programs, which share their resources with clients. A client does not share any of its sources, but it requests content or service from a server. Clients, therefore, start communication sessions with servers, which expect incoming requests. Cases of computer applications that use the client-server model are the World Wide Web, network printing, and Email.

Other Network Models to Think

Other types of service connections comprise master-slave networks and peer-to-peer networks. In a master-slave design, an individual program is responsible for all the others, with one being predominant over the other. This network type executes it more convenient to recognize where data comes from and goes to.

On the contrary, a peer-to-peer network, while comparable to a client-server architecture, differentiates in that it allows any client to start transactions. This type of network comes with more difficulties for administrators since it’s tougher to back up data and control users.

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