Chapter 2

Database Environment

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Chapter 2 - Objectives
 Meaning of client–server architecture and
advantages of this type of architecture for a
DBMS.
 Function and uses of Transaction Processing
Monitors.

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Multi-User DBMS Architectures
 Teleprocessing

 File-server

 Client-server

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Teleprocessing
 Traditional architecture.
 Single mainframe with a number of
terminals attached.
 Trend is now towards downsizing.

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File-Server
 File-server is connected to several workstations
across a network.

 Database resides on file-server.

 DBMS and applications run on each

workstation.

 Disadvantages include:
– Significant network traffic.
– Copy of DBMS on each workstation. 5
– Concurrency, recovery
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and integrity control more
File-Server Architecture

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Traditional Two-Tier Client-Server
 Client (tier 1) manages user interface and runs
applications.
 Server (tier 2) holds database and DBMS.

 Advantages include:
– wider access to existing databases;
– increased performance;
– possible reduction in hardware costs;
– reduction in communication costs;
– increased consistency.

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Traditional Two-Tier Client-Server

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Traditional Two-Tier Client-Server

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Three-Tier Client-Server
 Client side presented two problems preventing
true scalability:
– ‘Fat’ client, requiring considerable resources on
client’s computer to run effectively. This includes
disk space, RAM, and CPU power
– Significant client side administration overhead.

 By 1995, three layers proposed, each

potentially running on a different platform.

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Three-Tier Client-Server
 Advantages:
– ‘Thin’ client, requiring less expensive hardware.
– Application maintenance centralized.
– Easier to modify or replace one tier without
affecting others.
– Separating business logic from database functions
makes it easier to implement load balancing.
– Maps quite naturally to Web environment.

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Three-Tier Client-Server

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Transaction Processing Monitors
 Program that controls data transfer between clients
and servers in order to provide a consistent
environment, particularly for Online Transaction
Processing (OLTP).
 A Transaction Processing Monitor, or TP Monitor, is
a middleware component that provides access to the
services of a number of resource managers and
provides a uniform interface for programmers who
are developing transactional software. A TP Monitor
forms the middle tier of a three-tier architecture.
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TPM as middle tier of 3-tier client-server

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Ecercise4
 Explain the terms ‘Fat client’ and ‘Thin client’.

 Describe the two main problems of the two-tier

Client-Server architecture that lead to the
introduction of the three-tier Client-Server.

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