Client-server architecture: features of interaction

Computers, programs and peripherals are unequal components of the information network. Some own a resource, so they are called servers, others refer to these resources and are called clients. Consider how they interact with each other and what the client-server architecture is.

Client-Server Architecture

The "Client-Server" architecture is the interaction of structural components in a network based on certain principles of organization of this network, where the structural components are the server and the node-providers of certain specialized functions (services), as well as the clients that use this service. Specific functions are divided into three groups based on the solution of certain tasks:

• Functions of input and presentation of data are intended for interaction of the user with the system;
• Applied functions - for each subject area there is own set;
• Resource management functions are designed to manage the file system, various databases and other components.

An autonomous system, for example, a computer without a network connection, represents the components of presentation, application, and management at various levels. These types of levels are the operating system, application and service software, various utilities. In the same way, all the above components are presented in the network. The main thing is to properly ensure the network interaction between these components.

The principle of client-server architecture

Client-server architecture is most often used to create corporate databases in which information is not only stored, but also can be periodically processed by various methods. The database is the main element of any corporate information system, and the core of this database is located on the server. So, on the server there are the most complex operations concerning the input, storage, processing and modification of data. When the user (client) accesses the database (server), the request is processed: directly accessing the database and returning the response (processing result). The result of processing is a network message about the successful operation or error. Server computers can handle simultaneous access of multiple clients to the same file. Such work and data transfer over the network can speed up the work of the applications used.

Client-server architecture: application of technology

This architecture is used to access various resources using network technologies: Web servers, application servers, database servers , mail servers, firewalls, proxy servers. The development of client-server applications allows to increase the security, reliability and performance of the applications and the network as a whole. Most often, client-server applications are used to automate business.