Definition of client server network
A type of network in which server computer is connected to client computers.
Let’s define what is client and server.
What is client
The client is a computer that requests service from the server. The type of services that client request is taking the print, making a phone call, fetching data from Google.com or any other website.
What is server
A server is a computer that provides services to the client computer. A server might be a web server of Google, print server, database server, file server and fax server.
The server is also named the host computer. Host computer manages hardware and software on the network. The server computer behaves as a centralized storage area and it stores data, information and programs. Server computer provides resources to the client computers. The server has more processing power and thus contains more RAM. It is also expensive than the client computer.
What is dedicated server
A dedicated server can do specific tasks e.g. print server is used to manage printers and do a print job. The file server is used to manage and store files. The database server is used to control network traffic.
Benefits of client server network
- All resources are controlled by a centralized computer (server)
- Data security is well managed by the server
- New computers are added to the network without affecting network performance
- The client can access server computer via different mediums like smartphone, tablet, PC, laptop behaves as clients
- If any client computer crashes then other computers in the network will function normally and will not get affected
- It is easier to make a backup in the network. The server computer can store all types of important files and if you have lost any important file then you can retrieve the file from the server.
- New features can be added to the server without affecting the network
- All clients, server and network work together in LAN and WAN
Examples of client server network
Suppose you are using a computer and you type www.google.com in the browser (e.g. Chrome). So you are using the client computer. Now browser sends a request to the Google web server. Google web server responds to the browser with some data and the browser will display that data in the browser i.e. it displays Google website in the browser. If you make a search in Google search engine then the browser again sends a request to the webserver of Google and it will show search results in the browser.
Similarly, if you make a phone call from a smartphone then your smartphone behaves like a client and a mobile tower or mobile exchange behave like a server. Mobile exchange will process the call and connects your call with the destination person.
Another example of a client server is bank and customer. A bank has web servers that contain all data of the customer. Now the customer is a client and if it requests balance inquiry from his computer to the bank website. The bank website will display customer data by fetching data from the bank web server.
A client computer connected to a network can request a server for printing a page. Suppose you are sitting in a net café and you want to print a page. Now you send a request to the server computer that you want to access the printer. The server computer receives your request and provides you access to the printer. The printer will print your page.