Sept-Dec 2016 Client-Server 10th October 2016
INTRODUCTION TO CLIENT SERVER ARCHITECTURE
2 TIERS AND 3 TIERS
A database is a collection of information that is organized so that it can easily be accessed,
managed, and updated. In one view, databases can be classified according to types of content:
bibliographic, full-text, numeric, and images.
Definition
A Client-Server refers to the Network Architecture where one or more computers are connected
to a server
That one computer (the Client) or more sends a service request to another computer (the Server).
A client/Server architecture was developed to deal with computer environment in which a large
number of PCs, Workstation and file servers are available
A Client in this framework is typically a user machine that provides user interface capabilities
and local processing
A Server on the other hand is a system containing both hardware and software that can provide
services to the client. Servers host the database and the database management system
1
Sept-Dec 2016 Client-Server 10th October 2016
Client-Server Communication
1. The Client sends request to the server process
2. Server executes the request
3. Server transmits a reply and data
Examples of servers include File Servers and Webservers
Advantages of Client-Server Architecture
1. Centralization:- It ensures Access, Resources and data security are controlled through the
server
2. Scalability:- Any elements can be upgraded when needed
3. Flexibility:-It allows new technology to easily be integrated into the system
4. Interoperability:- It ensures all components e.g. (clients, network, servers) work together
TWO TIRE ARCHITECTURE
Definition:
A Two Tier architecture consists of a client and a server. In a two tier architecture, the database
is stored on the server, and the interface used to access the database is installed on the client.
The user’s system interface is usually located in the user's desktop environment and the database
management services are usually stored in a server which is a more powerful machine that
services many clients. Processing management is split between the user system interface
environment and the database management server environment. The database management
server provides stored procedures and triggers
2
Sept-Dec 2016 Client-Server 10th October 2016
Advantages
Since processing was shared between the client and server, more users could interact with such a
system
THREE TIRE ARCHITECTURE
This type of architecture consists of three components
1. User Interface (Found in client computer)
2. Application Program/Server
3. Database Server
The intermediary or the middle layer is sometimes called the Application Layer, Web Server
Figure 1
3
Sept-Dec 2016 Client-Server 10th October 2016
Figure 2
Advantages of Three –Tier Architecture
1. Three-Tier Architecture enhances security
2. It facilitates access to the database
3. Clients cannot directly access database server unless through the middle tier
Example of a Three-Tier Architecture
1. Ecommerce Systems
In this systems application servers (middle tier) share business logic, computations, and a data
retrieval engine on the server. Therefore there is no processing required on the client.
