A client-server network is a central computer that provides a means for end-users, or clients, to obtain

services and resources from another entity, such as when a library member downloads a book from the
local library. Explore the definition, learn how it works, and review the advantages and disadvantages of
a client-server network. Updated: 09/22/2021

What Is a Client-Server Network?

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. A server's sole purpose
is to do what its name implies - serve its clients! You may have been using this configuration and not
even have known it. Have you ever played Xbox Live or used the PlayStation Network? Your Xbox One is
the client, and when it logs into the network, it contacts the Xbox Live servers to retrieve gaming
resources like updates, video, and game demos.

Imagine a customer sitting at a restaurant. He is waiting for the server to come by and take his order.
The same rules apply in a client-server network; the client, which can be a laptop, desktop, a
smartphone, or pretty much any computerized device, can make a request from the server.

The client uses the network as a way to connect with and speak to the server. Just as the customer
speaks to his server, the client uses the network to send and receive communications about its order, or
request. The server will take the request and make sure that the request is valid. If everything checks
out okay, then the server will fetch the request and serve the client.

The server can make a request from the client as well. It may want to check up on the status of the
client, or ask if it has received any security patches, or if it still needs resources from the server. If not,
the server will close the connection in order to free up network traffic.

Can you imagine a server standing next to a customer who just stares at the menu without ordering
anything? After 15 minutes, it would be a good idea for the server to leave and check on other
customers. In both cases, the server moves on to other clients as needed.

What Are the Advantages of a Client-Server Network?

The biggest advantage to using this setup is central management of the server. Only one server is used
to host the resources that all the clients request and use. This is especially good for server
administrators, because they only have to be in one place and can solve all the problems in one place, as
well. Having to manually update several hundred servers would take much more time. One centrally
managed server is the key to ease of management, and it is cost effective, too.

Another advantage of using one physical server is that the configuration is simple to set up and takes
less time to troubleshoot. For instance, if there were a site with multiple servers providing redundant
services, and it was having issues, it could take an extreme amount of work to effectively troubleshoot
why services are being hindered. In a single server role, all troubleshooting takes place at one physical
server, so it takes much less time.
Benefits of Client-Server Computing
There are numerous advantages of the client server architecture model:

 A single server hosting all the required data in a single place facilitates easy
protection of data and management of user authorization and authentication.
 Resources such as network segments, servers, and computers can be added to
a client-server network without any significant interruptions. 
 Data can be accessed efficiently without requiring clients and the server to be in
close proximity. 
 All nodes in the client-server system are independent, requesting data only from
the server, which facilitates easy upgrades, replacements, and relocation of the
nodes. 
 Data that is transferred through client-server protocols are platform-agnostic.

Difference Between Client and Server

Clients, also known as service requesters, are pieces of computer hardware or server software
that request resources and services made available by a server. Client computing is classified
as Thick, Thin, or Hybrid. 

 Thick Client: a client that provides rich functionality, performs the majority of data
processing itself, and relies very lightly upon the server.
 Thin Client: a thin-client server is a lightweight computer that relies heavily on the
resources of the host computer -- an application server performs the majority of
any required data processing.
 Hybrid Client: possessing a combination of thin client and thick client
characteristics, a hybrid client relies on the server to store persistent data, but is
capable of local processing.

A server is a device or computer program that provides functionality for other devices or
programs. Any computerized process that can be used or called upon by a client to share
resources and distribute work is a server. Some common examples of servers include:

 Application Server: hosts web applications that users in the network can use
without needing their own copy.
 Computing Server: shares an enormous amount of computer resources with
networked computers that require more CPU power and RAM than is typically
available for a personal computer.
 Database Server: maintains and shares databases for any computer program
that ingests well-organized data, such as accounting software and spreadsheets.‍
 Web Server: hosts web pages and facilitates the existence of the World Wide
Web.

Advantages of the Client-Server Model

The client-server model of networking was initially developed to share
access to database applications with many users. Compared to the
mainframe model, client-server networking has better flexibility because
connections can be made on-demand and as needed rather than being
fixed.

The client-server model supports modular applications that can make the
job of creating software easier. In the two-tier and three-tier types of client-
server systems, software applications are separated into modular
components, and each component is installed on clients or servers
specialized for that subsystem.