In our previous post you can read about server, what is server and how it makes to give his resources avaiable to Client Computers. Now we will se the other par of Client-Server architecture, Host in the role of Client.
Simply, host is a machine with a unique address, active over the network. That can be in operation here either as a client or else as a server. The main function of that device is to distribute information and related services with the help of a single or multiple addresses. Similarly, client is a computer application that is used to get access to those services, provided by means of the server which is also a computer system. Though, word “client” for the first time was used for the dumb terminals which have no ability to run their own individual program but they were capable to interact with other remote computers over their network.
However, client/server architecture is still in use but functioning at an advance level than before. Both client and server programs can be run on the similar computer systems now with the help of inter-processed network communication techniques like shared memory. And online chatting can be performed using multiple clients. Moreover, constant transferring of the outsized client programs to the websites is presenting a browser as a global client. The main purpose of this step is to keep away from the hassle of large software downloading onto a computer system so an application can be used on it.
Connecting to server:
Internet sockets will be used by a user to connect to a server, offering service by operating over a probably remote network system with the help of internet protocol suite. Connection process is involved server side listening sockets set up and from client side connection initiate step. After that server needs to accept that instigate connection. For better understanding, you can consider a web browser as a client that needs to be connected to a web server in order to retrieve requested web pages.
Client’s types
You will observe variety in the client types. And these can be defined as below:
Fat clients
Fat clients (computer systems) offer local storage and as well local processing facilities. Moreover, a low-fat client or a rich-poor client is a PC or laptop that will operate independently. But the programming languages such as Delphi, Java, .NET Framework are used in the development of rich clients.
Thin clients
Neither local storage space nor local processing options are available in case of thin client. A thin client (rare client type) client can use the host computer resources for displaying pictures. That is the duty of applications to offer necessary data processing tasks. Programming languages such as JavaScript or AJAX can be used for client side mechanization while server side is using the languages as ASP, HTML, PHP and JSP etc
Hybrid clients
As the name shows, a hybrid client is developed by keeping in mind the features of both above mentioned client models. Hybrid clients are able to offer local storage facility but can’t provide the local processing facility. This client can process locally in the same way as a fat client practices. Anyhow, for storage data purpose it depends on the server.
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