In a client server network a computer that is dedicated to processing client requests is called

Used in home and corporate networks, a client is any computer hardware or software device that requests access to a service provided by a server. Clients are typically seen as the requesting program or user in a client-server architecture. Client end-user devices typically include desktop computers, laptops and smartphones. 

In a computer network, a client in a client-server model is what requests a service or resource from a server. The server can be located on or off premises.

How does a client interact with a server?

In a client-server architecture, clients interact with servers by making requests for data or resources that the client is not capable of providing. Clients and servers can be located in different areas and connect via a network. They can also be located on the same machine and connect by interprocess communications.

A distributed application framework divides tasks between servers and clients. Tasks that can be completed by the client are typically referred to as client-side, while tasks completed by a server are referred to as server-side.

Servers typically provide resources such as files, data, internet access, external storage or processing power. The server puts one or more programs in charge of distributing those services to requesting clients.

Clients and servers communicate in a request-response messaging pattern defined by a communication protocol, such as Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP). The protocol defines the language and dialog patterns used. TCP, for example, maintains a connection between client and server until the end of a message exchange. TCP also determines how to distribute application data, transfers and receives packets, and manages any dropped packets. If a server receives a large number of requests at once, the requests are organized in a scheduling system based on priority. With client access control tools, a user can manage access to servers.

Client-side vs. server-side

The client-side is an action or operation that occurs on the user's side, while server-side refers to actions or operations that occur on a server.

For example, JavaScript scripts are client-side, as they are executed by a browser, which is the client. Common Gateway Interface scripts are server-side, as they run on a server.

A server, for example, could be an Application Server, a separate computer, a database server or a web server. When a program or device does not have the resources to complete an operation, it will act as a client, making a request to a server, and that operation will happen server-side.

Types of clients

The following examines the four ways to define the different types of clients:

• Thick client. Thick clients provide a majority of resources and data processing. These clients rely only lightly on a server; instead, they perform most operations client-side.
• Thin client. These lightweight clients rely heavily on a server for resources and to perform most of the data processing.
• Hybrid client. Hybrid clients are a combination of both thin and thick clients. This type of client processes data locally but relies on a server to store persistent data.
• Zero client. Zero clients are slimmer and more cost-effective than thin clients. These client devices require no configuration and have nothing stored on them. They also use less power than thick or thin clients.

Client-server examples

Examples of client-server relationships include web, file and mail servers.  A web browser is essentially a client that requests pages from servers all over the web. The browser is the client that sends requests while a server in another location returns the Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) file. The computer that handles the request and sends back the HTML file is a server.

File servers are computers that are responsible for the storage and management of data files, enabling users to share information over a network without having to physically transfer the files. Examples of a file server include a network attached storage device or a separate computer that can host shared files.

File Transfer Protocol is a client-server network protocol that is used to transmit files between computers over TCP/IP connections. The client-server protocol relies on two communications channels between the client and server -- a command channel for controlling the conversation and a data channel for transmitting file content.

Learn more about thin, thick and zero clients in this article.

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A client-server network is a form of internet network that consists of a single central computer functioning as a server and directing several other computers, referred to as clients. Clients can access shared files and information kept on the serving machine by connecting to the server. Furthermore, client-server networks are similar to peer-to-peer networks in principle, with the distinction that only the server may begin a transaction.

The client-server model describes how a server gives one or more clients access to resources and services. Mail servers, web servers, and file servers are examples of servers. Client devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices, have access to the resources on each of these servers. Clients and servers often have a one-to-many connection, which means that a single server can supply resources to several clients at the same time.

When a client requests a connection with a server, the server has the option of accepting or rejecting the request. If the connection is accepted, the server builds and maintains a protocol-specific connection with the client. To send a message, for instance, an email client may demand an SMTP connection to a mail server. The mail server's SMTP program will then request authentication information, such as the email address and password. The server will deliver the email to the designated recipient if the credentials match an account on the mail server.

The client-server architecture is also used in online multiplayer games. Blizzard's Battle.net service, for instance, provides online games for World of Warcraft, StarCraft, Overwatch, and other Blizzard games. When users launch a Blizzard program, the gaming client connects to a Battle.net server automatically. Players may check who else is online, talk with other gamers, and play matches with or against other gamers after they join Battle.net.

While Internet servers may connect several clients at once, each physical system can only manage a certain amount of traffic. As a result, notable online services use a method known as distributed computing to disperse customers across numerous physical servers. Most of the time, it doesn't matter which computer users are connecting to because all of the servers deliver the same service.

A client-server network can be implemented on a single computer system, although it is most typically used across many locations. Multiple computers or humans may now communicate and share information thanks to this technology. A client-server paradigm enables users to access a common or shared, database or application as firms grow and people work together across huge distances. This is also true when people use the internet to access their bank accounts or pay bills. Users enter their requests into the bank's server, and the server then relays the information to them.

The client-server model's centralized design makes it simpler to safeguard data with access limits enforced by security policies, which is a substantial advantage. It also doesn't matter if the clients and server are running the same operating system because data is exchanged using platform-agnostic client-server protocols.

One important disadvantage of the client-server approach is that if too many clients request data from the server at the same time, the server may get overloaded. In addition to generating network congestion, too many requests may result in a denial of service.

What is a Client-Server Network?​

A client-server network is a channel via which clients access services and resources from a central computer, either via a local area network (LAN) or a wide-area network (WAN), such as the Internet. A dedicated server called a daemon may be used to wait for client requests, at which point a network connection is established and maintained until the client request is completed.

Client-to-server (north-south traffic) and server-to-server (east-west traffic) traffic are the two types of network traffic. E-mail, data sharing, printing, and the World Wide Web are all popular network services. A key advantage of the client-server network is the central administration of applications and data.

A client-server network facilitates data transmission while protecting the sent data. Using the network is a smart solution for businesses looking for quicker and more secure data transfer.

How Does a Client-Server Network Work?​

Client-server networks are computer networks that employ a dedicated computer to store data, manage/provide resources, and control user access (server). The server connects all of the other computers in the network by acting as a hub. A machine that connects to the server is known as a client. Generally, client-server networks are preferred over peer-to-peer networks that lack a central server for network management.

Clients' hardware is often a PC or other mobile device with network applications installed. The person on the opposite side of the computer uses the internet to submit a request to the server. The server, or data center, which lies on the server-side, contains a vast amount of data in files, databases, and programs.

The client-server network operates on the premise of a two-way street, in which the client concurrently submits requests and the server responds with an update and relevant responses to the queries. Because a client-server network has several clients and servers, network traffic can be substantial. Once the operation is finished, the server disconnects the client from the network to save bandwidth. As a result, the bandwidth efficiency of the client and server determines the speed with which results are provided. On the internet and in a local area network (LAN), such as in a corporation or organization, the client-server architecture can be used.

Clients commonly connect with servers through the TCP/IP protocol stack. TCP creates and maintains a connection until the application programs on both ends have finished exchanging messages as it is a connection-oriented protocol. It decides how to divide application data into network-deliverable packets, transmits and receives packets from the network layer, handles flow control, and retransmission of dropped or garbled packets, as well as acknowledgment all packets that arrive. TCP includes elements of Layer 4, the Transport Layer, and parts of Layer 5, the Session Layer, in the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) communication architecture.

IP, on the other hand, is a connectionless protocol, which means that there is no ongoing connection between the communicating endpoints. Each packet of data that goes across the Internet is viewed as a separate unit of data with no connection to other units of data. (TCP is responsible for the packets being placed in the correct order.) IP is located in layer 3 of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) communication model, which is the Networking Layer.

What are the Advantages of a Client-Server Network?​

The client-server architectural concept has several advantages:

• A single server that houses all of the essential data in one location makes data security and user authorization and authentication control much easier. Any issue that arises throughout the whole network may be resolved in a single location.
• A client-server network may be expanded by adding network segments, servers, and PCs with little downtime. Client-server networks offer scalability. The number of resources, such as clients and servers, can be increased as needed by the user. Consequently, the server's size may be increased without any disruptions. Since the server is centralized, there are no questions regarding access to network resources even as the size grows. As a result, just a small number of staff members are needed for the setups.
• Clients and the server do not have to be close to access data effectively. It is really simple to handle files because they are all kept on the same server. The finest management for tracking and finding records of necessary files is offered in client-server networks.
• The client-server system's nodes are all self-contained, requesting data only from the server, allowing for simple upgrades, replacements, and relocation.
• The centralized design of a client-server network ensures that the data is properly safeguarded. Access controls can be used to enforce it and ensure that only authorized users are allowed access. Imposing credentials like a username and password is one such technique. Additionally, if the data were to be destroyed, it would be simple to restore the files from a single backup.

What are the Disadvantages of a Client-Server Network?​

The client-server network has a few disadvantages:

• The main disadvantage of a client-server model is the danger of a system overload owing to a lack of resources to service all of the clients. If too many different clients try to connect to the shared network at the same time, the connection may fail or slow down. Additionally, if the internet connection is down, any website or client in the world will be unable to access the information. Large businesses may be at risk if they are unable to get important information.
• In client-server networks, the cost of setting up and maintaining the server is typically higher than the cost of running the network. The networks might be expensive to buy because of their strength. The users won't all be able to afford them as a result.
• When the servers are put in place, they will run continuously, which implies they need to receive the necessary care. If there are any mistakes, they must be fixed right away without further delay. As a result, a qualified network manager should be hired to look after the server.
• Not all of the resources on the server are available for acquisition. For instance, you cannot immediately print a document from the web or change any information stored on the client's hard drive.

What are the Types of Servers?​

Without realizing it, you've already used the client-server model if you're reading this article right now. This webpage was provided by a web server after your request as the client for a resource. This is the typical design for current communications, where clients are provided with digital data by servers. Peer-to-peer, or "P2P," is an alternative model that depends on computer connections to distribute data. A client-server architecture, in comparison to the P2P model, depends on a primary server computer or group of server machines linked to a network, generally in a data center. Clients, or ordinary computers linked to the internet or a local network, send packets to the server to request data from it. The server has three options when it gets these requests: accept the packet, refuse or "drop" the packet, or quietly end the connection. If a client sends a packet to a properly configured server on a different port, the server will usually drop the packets silently.

After briefly describing the general workings of client-server architecture, it is helpful to look at some of the most common types of servers used in computer networks and the broader information technology industry.

1. Web Server: These servers establish a connection between your computer and any saved data from an internet website. Information for the internet is stored on web servers and is obtained using "HTTP" code before being transferred to your web browser. One of the most popular server types is this one.
2. Virtual Machine (VM): Virtual machines only store and connect data in virtual spaces, as their title indicates. A hypervisor, commonly referred to as a virtual machine monitor (VMM), is software that allows IT teams to operate hundreds of virtual machines on a single piece of real hardware. Because they are the most economical sort of server to run, this server virtualization technique is commonly utilized for data transit and storage.
3. Proxy Server: Proxy servers operate as a bridge between a host server and a client. After passing via the proxy's server, a proxy transfers data from a website to the IP address of your machine. Since the information is requested and then transported from the source to the proxy server rather than straight from a client to another user, this method offers an extra degree of protection. Numerous harmful internet activities can be blocked by a proxy server.
4. Application Server: Through virtual server connections, these servers link clients to software programs. This enables users to access programs without downloading data to their own devices. Application servers are the best choice for companies because they can efficiently host big volumes of application data for numerous users at once.
5. File Transfer Protocol (FTP) Server: To transfer files from one computer to another, FTP servers are utilized. Downloaded files are extracted onto your device from the server, while uploaded files go from your PC to the server. To connect computers securely and transmit data, this process is known as the file transfer protocol.
6. Database Server: Database servers act as substantial data repositories that businesses may access and utilize to operate a variety of applications. Any database design is not necessary for a database server to function.
7. Mail Server: A mail server stores and delivers messages for users via platforms that provide email services. Users don't need to run any software on their own devices to access their email since mail servers are configured to be connected to a network constantly.
8. File Server: Multiple users' data files are kept on a file server. They enable quicker file writing to computers and faster data retrieval. When many users require access to files that are more readily and securely saved on a server than on a personal computer, enterprises frequently utilize this basic type of server.
9. Domain Name System (DNS) Server: These servers convert readable computer domain names into IP addresses written in computer code. The DNS server utilizes user-supplied search information to locate the requested address and send it to the client device.
10. Collaboration Server: A collaboration server facilitates connections when work has to be shared among several users. You may exchange and store files, programs, and other substantial amounts of data with these servers.
11. Gaming Server: To link users from all around the world, large gaming networks require servers. Multiplayer internet games are hosted by these servers.
12. Management and Monitoring Server: Servers for administration and monitoring perform a variety of tasks. They first take user requests, record them, and track digital transactions. Others only keep an eye on user activity and take no dynamic role in it. Network managers who examine network health to look for dangers or flaws in the system might use monitoring servers to respond to their requests.
13. Print Server: To print across a network, a print server establishes remote connections with nearby computers. Businesses now have the option of using a single printer to support a whole department thanks to these servers. When put in an office space, some printers even have their own built-in server that is prepared to connect to a network.

What are the Client and Servers in the Computer Network?​

Clients are computer hardware or server software that makes requests for resources and services that a server makes available. Clients are often referred to as "service requesters". Thick, Thin, or Hybrid client computing are the three categories.

• Thick Client: A client that offers extensive functionality, does the majority of data processing on its own, and depends on the server only a little.
• Thin Client: An application server handles the majority of the necessary data processing for a thin-client server, which is a lightweight computer that heavily relies on the resources of the host computer.
• Hybrid Client: A hybrid client combines the elements of a thin client and a thick client. It may do local processing but must rely on the server to keep persistent data.

A device or computer program that serves as a hub for other components or programs is known as a server. A server is any computerized system that a client may access or utilize to share resources and distribute tasks. Typical servers include the following:

• Application Server
• Computing Server
• Database Server
• Web server

What are the Differences Between Client-Server and Peer-to-Peer Networks?​

Peer-to-peer (P2P) is a decentralized communication architecture where every network node has an equal capacity and may act as both a client and a server. In peer-to-peer computing, nodes pool their resources and instantly communicate with one another. The peer-to-peer communications protocol uses an algorithm to balance the load, making other peers accessible to cover for any resource failures, and rerouting requests as the load capacity and peers' availability change. The capability to grow the network to handle a large number of customers is a key benefit of peer-to-peer networking. The server is the central node that connects with other client nodes in client-server networking, a centralized communications model. The capacity to handle data and programs on one centralized server is a key benefit of client-server relationships over peer-to-peer relationships.

The differences between Client-Server and Peer-to-Peer Networking can be summarized as follows: