A client-server network is a type of internet network where one main computer serves as a server and controls many other computers known as clients. By connecting to the server, clients can access shared files and data stored on the server. In addition, client-server networks are conceptually comparable to peer-to-peer networks, with the exception that only the server may start a transaction.
The client-server paradigm explains how a server grants access to resources and services to one or more clients. Examples of servers include mail servers, web servers, and file servers. Client devices have access to the resources on each of these servers, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices. One server can provide resources to numerous clients at once because clients and servers frequently have a one-to-many relationship.
A server can accept or deny a client's request for a connection when the client makes the request. If the connection is approved, the server creates and maintains a connection with the client that is particular to the protocol. An email client, for instance, could require an SMTP connection to a mail server in order to send a message. The SMTP software on the mail server will then ask for authentication data, such as the email address and password. If the login information matches an existing account on the mail server, the server will send the email to the intended recipient.
How does a client server network work?
Let's first discover the hardware involved in client-server networks before moving on to the key issue of understanding how client-server networks work.
The hardware used by clients is often a PC or other mobile device with pre-installed network applications. A request is made to the server through the internet by the user on the other side of the computer.
The one that lives on the server-side is a "server" or data center, as you may have guessed by this point, and it houses a vast amount of data in files, databases, and applications.
Now that we are aware of the hardware involved in client-server networks, let's examine how they function:
The client sends the requests concurrently, and the server responds with an update and the necessary results for the requested inquiries. This is how the client-server network operates.
Many clients and servers make up a client-server network, therefore, network traffic might be substantial. Once the task is finished, the server cuts off communication with the client to conserve network capacity. As a result, the bandwidth effectiveness of the client and server determines how quickly results are provided.
The client-server architecture is applicable to both local area networks (LANs), such as those used in businesses and organizations, and the internet.
What are examples of a client server network?
Client-server networks come in a variety of forms. One such is the World Wide Web, where web browsers function as clients that ask website servers to send content they have requested to them. Email is another example of client-server networks, where email clients ask email servers to send and receive emails. Some examples of client-server networks are web servers, Domain Name Systems (DNS), and File Transfer Protocol (FTP) clients.
In the banking sector, banks have web servers that house all of the customer's data, and the customer's computer serves as a client to the bank website, requesting balance inquiries.
A client-server network is typically utilized when several clients need to access resources and services from a single computer, which serves as the server.
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What are the benefits of using a client-server network to host web applications?
Some of the major advantages of using a client server network can be listed below.
- Centralization: The main advantage of a client-server network is that it enables centralized management, making all the information accessible in one location. This is quite useful since the network administrator has total control over management and administration. Every problem that develops throughout the whole network may be fixed in one place. In addition, updating data is made simpler.
- Adaptability: The number of clients or servers may be readily increased by customers. There are no issues with authorisation to expanding network resources because the server is centralized. As a result, the installations only call for a few individuals.
- Protection: Data is properly protected in client-server networks because of their centralized architecture. Thus, access to the data via login, password, and two-factor authentication is only permitted for authorized users. A single backup can swiftly restore the records if the data is destroyed.
- Operation: As all files are hosted on a single server, managing them is easy. The required file records may easily be monitored and accessed using a client-server network.
Is a client-server network the best option for hosting high-traffic websites?
No. High traffic websites can be hosted on client-server networks, although this isn't necessarily the ideal solution. Although a client-server network may be expanded without much downtime by adding network segments, servers, and computers, traffic problems can occur when client demands are very high, making it challenging to manage all server requests. Moreover, a powerful CPU is required for the server computer, and purchasing a server requires a substantial upfront cost. Hence, while hosting high-traffic websites, it's crucial to take into account other variables like optimizing content delivery, utilizing a content delivery network (CDN), and selecting a safe and reasonably priced hosting plan.
