Client/Server Computing
UNIT - 1
UNIT -1
Client/Server Computing: DBMS concept and
architecture, Single system image, Client Server
architecture, mainframe-centric client server
computing, downsizing and client server
computing, preserving mainframe applications
investment through porting, client server
development tools, advantages of client server
computing.
Definition
Client/server describes the
relationship between two computer
programs in which one program,
the client, makes a service request
from another program, the server,
which fulfills the request.
Peer-peer network
computer network in which each
computer in the network can act as
a client or server for the other
computers in the network, allowing
shared access to files and
peripherals without the need for a
central server
Peer-peer network
Dis-advantages
No central server
No centralization
Lacking management
Back up and recovery possibility
Up gradation and scalability
Accessibility and security
Peer-peer system vs. client/server
Client/server design- classical model
Forces that drive the Client/Server
The general forces that drive the move to
client/server computing are:
The changing business environment.
The growing need for enterprise data access.
The demand for end user productivity gains
based on the efficient use for data resources.
Technological advances that have made
client/server computing practical.
Growing cost/performance advantages of PC-
based platforms.
Client/Server Architecture
The client/Server architecture is based on
hardware and software components that
interacts to form a system. This system includes
three main components:
Clients
Servers
Communication middleware
Client/Server Architecture - client
The client is any computer process that
requests services from the server. The
client is also known as the front-end-
application, reflecting the fact that the
end user usually interacts with the
client process.
Client/Server Architecture - server
The server is any computer process
providing services to the clients. The
server is also known as the back-end
application, reflecting the fact that the
server process provides the background
services for the client process.
Communication middleware:
It is any computer process(es) through which
clients and servers communicate. The
communication middleware, also known as
middleware or the communications layers, is
made up of several layers of software that aid
the transmission of data and control
information between clients and servers.
CLIENT SERVER ARCHITECTURE
Distributed Processing Environment
Distributed Database Environment
Comprehensive Communications Networks
Open Systems for information sharing
Friendly User Interfaces
Standardized communications protocols
Shared responsibility
CLIENT SERVER ARCHITECTURE
Client Processes request services
Í Server Processes provide services
Í Client and server processes execute on
different systems
Í Clients and servers can negotiate the terms
and conditions of service
Single System Image
• To implement and operate a modern
telecommunications network that creates a
seamless utility for all telecommunication
applications from desktop to desktop
• Definition: In distributed computing, a single
system image (SSI) cluster is a cluster of
machines that appears to be one single system
Single System Image
• Within the single system image environment, a
business system user is totally unaware of
where data is stored, how client and server
processors work, and what networking is
involved in gaining connectivity.
• How is this transparency accomplished?
Single System Image
• Every application that the user accesses provides a
common “look and feel”. Help is provided in the same way
by every application. Errors are presented and resolved in
the same way. Each user has access to all services for which
he or she has a need and a right to access
• The security layer is invisible to the authorized and
impenetrable to the unauthorized
• Navigation from function to function and application to
application is provided in the same way in every system
Single System Image & client/server computing
• Single system image is best implemented through
the client/server model
• Client/server computing is an environment that
satisfies the business need by appropriately
allocating the application processing between the
client and server processors
• Communication mechanism: IPC, InterProcess
Communication
Single System Image & client/server computing
• Single system image is best implemented through
the client/server model
• Client/server computing is an environment that
satisfies the business need by appropriately
allocating the application processing between the
client and server processors
• Communication mechanism: IPC, InterProcess
Communication
Information Sharing approaches:
Three approaches to organizational information
sharing:
Mainframe Centric:
PC Server-Centric:
Client Server:
Mainframe-Centric:
Use terminal emulators or hardwired terminals.
Non GUI proprietary interface.
Asynchronous (all cursor positions and key
positions are transmitted to and from the
mainframe).
Tight administrative control.
Mainframe-Centric
Client/Server Computing
• Uses the presentation capabilities of the
workstation to front-end existing applications
• The data is displayed or entered through the use of
pull-down lists, scrollable fields, check boxes, and
buttons
• The user interface is easy to use, and information is
presented more clearly
PC-Server-Centric:
PCs share common applications.
PCs share data (files).
PCs share resources (printer, etc.).
Each application presents its own user interface.
Commands and queries processed by PC.
Downloading of files (high volume network traffic).
Client Server:
Desktop intelligence.
Client responsible for User Interface.
Better sharing of server resources.
Optimal network utilization.
Separation of communication and operating
system processes from the user (easy maintenance).
Downsizing & client/server computing
Benefits of rightsizing are reduction in cost and/or
increased functionality, performance, and
flexibility in the applications of the enterprise
Significant cost savings usually are obtained from
a resulting reduction in employee, hardware,
software, and maintenance expenses
Downsizing & client/server computing
Rightsizing and downsizing are strategies used
with the client/server model to take advantage of
the lower cost of workstation technology
Rightsizing and upsizing involve the addition of
more diverse or more powerful computing
resources to an enterprise computing environment.
Advantages of Client/Server
Computing
• 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
• There are some major problems with this approach:
Mainframe system are very inflexible.
Centralized DP department was unable to keep up
with the demand for new applications.
high cost of purchase, maintenance and support.
