Client server network architecture is the simplest of them all, to understand of course. There are two major components, one has a high storage and processing capacity called server, and another, called client, which has a lower storage and slower processing speed, and as a result, dependent upon the server for data and information it requires.

To be blunt, a client-server network is designed for end-users, called clients, to access resources such as files, songs, video collections, or some other service from a central computer called a server.

The server has the function of performing the task it's named for - serve the clients with whatever information they require. Take an example of a Playstation Network.

Your PS4, let's assume, is the client, and when it logs into the network, it contacts the playstation live servers to retrieve gaming resources like updates, video, and game demos

A client does not share any of its resources, but requests a server's content or service function. Clients therefore initiate communication sessions with servers which await incoming requests. Examples of computer applications that use the client–server model are Email, network printing, and the World Wide Web.

Let’s see an example of how this system works:

When a bank customer accesses online banking services with a web browser (the client), the client initiates a request to the bank's web server. The customer's login credentials may be stored in a database, and the web server accesses the database server as a client.

An application server interprets the returned data by applying the bank's business logic, and provides the output to the web server. Finally, the web server returns the result to the client web browser for display.

In each step of this sequence of client–server message exchanges, a computer processes a request and returns data. This is the request-response messaging pattern. When all the requests are met, the sequence is complete and the web browser presents the data to the customer.

Moving on with our topic, let us understand what Clients and Servers are in detail.

Client

A client is a single-user workstation that provides a presentation services and the appropriate computing, connectivity and the database services relevant to the business need. Client computers can be classified as Fat Client, Thin Client or Hybrid Client.

Fat / Thick Client:

A fat client or thick client is a client that performs the bulk of any data processing operations itself, and does not necessarily rely on the server. Unlike thin clients, thick clients do not rely on a central processing server because the processing is done locally on the user system, and the server is accessed primarily for storage purposes. For that reason, thick clients often are not well-suited for public environments. To maintain a thick client, IT needs to maintain all systems for software deployment and upgrades, rather than just maintaining the applications on the server. For example – Personal Computer.

Thin Client:

Thin clients use the resources of the host computer. A thin client generally only presents processed data provided by an application server, which performs the bulk of any required data processing.

A thin client machine is going to communicate with a central processing server, meaning there is little hardware and software installed on the user's machine. A device using web application (such as Office Web Apps) is a thin client.

Hybrid Client:

A Hybrid Client is a mixture of the above two client models. Similar to a fat client, it processes locally, but relies on the server for storing persistent data. This approach offers features from both the fat client (multimedia support, high performance) and the thin client (high manageability, flexibility). Hybrid clients are well suited for video gaming.

Server

A server is one or more multi-user processors with shared memory providing computing, connectivity and the database services and the interfaces relevant to the business need. Working of a Client/Server Network: A typical Client/Server architecture has been shown in the Fig above.

Servers are typically powerful computers running advanced network operating systems. Servers can host e-mail; store common data files and serve powerful network applications such as Microsoft's SQL Server.

As a centerpiece of the network, the server validates login to the network and can deny access to both networking resources as well as client software.

End user Personal Computer or Network Computer workstations are the Clients.

We shall discuss in detail about servers and understand some basic features of this model in the next article. Stay tuned for that.

And like always, if you have any concerns, doubts or suggestions just click on ask questions at the left panel of your screen.

Thank You.