Client/Server Technology

Past
 centralized business computing and
centralized model of organizational
computing -- mainframes
 high degree of control for systems
managers
 end-users not very involved
 barriers to information access - sharing
not the norm
Now
 End-user computing is here to stay

 less control for systems managers

 sharing of data is the norm
 client-server computing is replacing the
mainframe
various meanings of
client/server technology
 One meaning:
 formal systems architecture describing
technologies that cooperate together on
a computer network
 users operate PCs (clients) that connect
to central computers (servers) over a
computer network
 both computers cooperate to spilt the
work of performing various tasks
various meanings of
client/server technology
 Another meaning:
 set of management strategies for
creating systems that improve org’al
effectiveness
 strategies for distributing computing
resources within an org. to support
interpersonal communication,
organizational coordination, and
business collaboration
Client/Server Model
 enterprise networking - an arrangement
of the org’s HW, SW,
telecommunications, and data
resources to put more computing power
on the desktop and create a company-
wide network linking smaller networks
client/server model of computing
 primary way of delivering computing
power to the desktop

 computing, data and processing power

are distributed throughout the
organization rather than being centrally
located
client/server model of computing
 emphasizes the user’s interaction with
the data

 splits processing between clients and

servers
client
 user point of entry into a network
 normally a desktop computer,
workstation, or laptop
 user generally interacts directly only
with the client portion of an application
server
 satisfies some or all of a user’s request
for data
 also runs the application software
 can be a mainframe or another desktop
computer
 servers store and process shared data
Infrastructure
 c/s computing enables restructuring of
information flow by distributing
computing resources and allowing
access to information

 hw and sw must function as a series of

pathways/highways
Core capabilities of
c/s computing
 users use desktop computers to do
much of their work locally
 when they need to access shared
information or to use resources of
another (more powerful) machine, they
connect their desktop (client) machine
to the remote machine (server) using a
network
Clients
 provide user interface - GUI - graphical
user interface
 run stand alone applications (e.g. word
processing) - these applications use
entirely local resources for both
processing and data storage
 run the client side of client-server
applications
Servers
 shared resources that are accessible
over the network;used by clients
 combine both hw and sw
 clients contact servers with requests
 servers process the request and return
the results to the clients
 many clients use the server; end-users
can share information by accessing a
common database (stored on the client)
Networking
 key to c/s communications
 clients and servers pass information
back and forth via a network
Distributing the work
 fig. - shows 5 different ways that
components of an application can be
partitioned between the client and the
server
 applications must be written as two or
more separate software components
that run on different machines but that
appear to operate as a single
application
Payroll example
 client tasks could include
– input data
– submit data queries to the server
– display results on screen or printer
 server task could include
– fetch the entered data
– process the payroll
– control access
Business benefits of
C/S computing
· enables new approaches to business
computing by restructuring flow of
communication and information within
orgs.
 improved communication, coordination,
and collaboration --> Groupware
– email, computer conferencing,
electronic calendars, shared databases
Business benefits of
C/S computing
· distributed data stores consist of different
servers that collect and organize information
 corporate data warehouses
– can be located centrally on a mainframe;
– receive data extracts periodically from operational
systems (e.g. TPS);
– serves as a repository for shared information;
– information can be distributed on various
machines (servers)
Some Limitations
 more difficult to write SW that divides
processing among clients and servers

 server can get overloaded when too

many users simultaneously want
service
Major influences that cause firms
to shift to Client/Server
 technically and economically feasible to
transfer computing power to desktop --
declining prices, good telecomm.
capabilities
 knowledge-based workers create and
work with information ; require easy
access to information - C/S systems
enhance productivity by placing
information where users are
Major influences that cause firms
to shift to Client/Server
 communication is faster, easier and less
costly with C/S technology -- important
in global economy
 flatter orgs. need more decentralized
from of computing
 support team work through networking
Major influences that cause firms
to shift to Client/Server
 offers flexibility to orgs. who need to
change rapidly - easy to connect new
clients (e.g. team members); can easily
upgrade power of server without
interrupting service
 cost savings - supposedly cheaper
 key principles for managers in
transition to c/s computing
· to achieve value from the (costly)
investment in c/s computing, need to
commit to process redesign
· two different levels of investment -
infrastructure and applications
key principles for managers in
transition to c/s computing
· need to make long-term investments in
backbone communications networks;
plan for ever-increasing bandwidth
 building the enabling infrastructure is a
strategic effort
 building distributed applications is a
tactical effort
key principles for managers in
transition to c/s computing
· individuals and workgroups need to
exploit the potential
· networked infrastructure enables people to
work together and share information in a
variety of ways