Client/Server Technology
Past
centralized business computing and
centralized model of organizational
computing -- mainframes
high degree of control for systems
managers
end-users not very involved
barriers to information access - sharing
not the norm
Now
End-user computing is here to stay
less control for systems managers
sharing of data is the norm
client-server computing is replacing the
mainframe
various meanings of
client/server technology
One meaning:
formal systems architecture describing
technologies that cooperate together on
a computer network
users operate PCs (clients) that connect
to central computers (servers) over a
computer network
both computers cooperate to spilt the
work of performing various tasks
various meanings of
client/server technology
Another meaning:
set of management strategies for
creating systems that improve org’al
effectiveness
strategies for distributing computing
resources within an org. to support
interpersonal communication,
organizational coordination, and
business collaboration
Client/Server Model
enterprise networking - an arrangement
of the org’s HW, SW,
telecommunications, and data
resources to put more computing power
on the desktop and create a company-
wide network linking smaller networks
client/server model of computing
primary way of delivering computing
power to the desktop
computing, data and processing power
are distributed throughout the
organization rather than being centrally
located
client/server model of computing
emphasizes the user’s interaction with
the data
splits processing between clients and
servers
client
user point of entry into a network
normally a desktop computer,
workstation, or laptop
user generally interacts directly only
with the client portion of an application
server
satisfies some or all of a user’s request
for data
also runs the application software
can be a mainframe or another desktop
computer
servers store and process shared data
Infrastructure
c/s computing enables restructuring of
information flow by distributing
computing resources and allowing
access to information
hw and sw must function as a series of
pathways/highways
Core capabilities of
c/s computing
users use desktop computers to do
much of their work locally
when they need to access shared
information or to use resources of
another (more powerful) machine, they
connect their desktop (client) machine
to the remote machine (server) using a
network
Clients
provide user interface - GUI - graphical
user interface
run stand alone applications (e.g. word
processing) - these applications use
entirely local resources for both
processing and data storage
run the client side of client-server
applications
Servers
shared resources that are accessible
over the network;used by clients
combine both hw and sw
clients contact servers with requests
servers process the request and return
the results to the clients
many clients use the server; end-users
can share information by accessing a
common database (stored on the client)
Networking
key to c/s communications
clients and servers pass information
back and forth via a network
Distributing the work
fig. - shows 5 different ways that
components of an application can be
partitioned between the client and the
server
applications must be written as two or
more separate software components
that run on different machines but that
appear to operate as a single
application
Payroll example
client tasks could include
– input data
– submit data queries to the server
– display results on screen or printer
server task could include
– fetch the entered data
– process the payroll
– control access
Business benefits of
C/S computing
· enables new approaches to business
computing by restructuring flow of
communication and information within
orgs.
improved communication, coordination,
and collaboration --> Groupware
– email, computer conferencing,
electronic calendars, shared databases
Business benefits of
C/S computing
· distributed data stores consist of different
servers that collect and organize information
corporate data warehouses
– can be located centrally on a mainframe;
– receive data extracts periodically from operational
systems (e.g. TPS);
– serves as a repository for shared information;
– information can be distributed on various
machines (servers)
Some Limitations
more difficult to write SW that divides
processing among clients and servers
server can get overloaded when too
many users simultaneously want
service
Major influences that cause firms
to shift to Client/Server
technically and economically feasible to
transfer computing power to desktop --
declining prices, good telecomm.
capabilities
knowledge-based workers create and
work with information ; require easy
access to information - C/S systems
enhance productivity by placing
information where users are
Major influences that cause firms
to shift to Client/Server
communication is faster, easier and less
costly with C/S technology -- important
in global economy
flatter orgs. need more decentralized
from of computing
support team work through networking
Major influences that cause firms
to shift to Client/Server
offers flexibility to orgs. who need to
change rapidly - easy to connect new
clients (e.g. team members); can easily
upgrade power of server without
interrupting service
cost savings - supposedly cheaper
key principles for managers in
transition to c/s computing
· to achieve value from the (costly)
investment in c/s computing, need to
commit to process redesign
· two different levels of investment -
infrastructure and applications
key principles for managers in
transition to c/s computing
· need to make long-term investments in
backbone communications networks;
plan for ever-increasing bandwidth
building the enabling infrastructure is a
strategic effort
building distributed applications is a
tactical effort
key principles for managers in
transition to c/s computing
· individuals and workgroups need to
exploit the potential
· networked infrastructure enables people to
work together and share information in a
variety of ways
