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System Architecture & Hardware Configurations

System Architecture & Hardware Configurations Dr. D. Bilal IS 582 Spring 2007 System Architecture Two major system architectures: Hierarchical Client/Server Hierarchical Architecture Processing and activities are controlled by the host system

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System Architecture & Hardware Configurations

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  1. System Architecture & Hardware Configurations Dr. D. Bilal IS 582 Spring 2007

  2. System Architecture • Two major system architectures: • Hierarchical • Client/Server

  3. Hierarchical Architecture • Processing and activities are controlled by the host system • Remote computers connected to host system have limited functions (input/output)

  4. Hierarchical Architecture • Remote computers connected to the host system emulate “dumb” terminals in communicating with the host system. • “Dumb” terminals have no or limited processing capabilities.

  5. Client/Server Architecture • Client: a user’s computer • Server: a dedicated computer in a network shared by multiple users • More than one server can exist in this architecture (e.g., database server, Web server, application server, e-mail server)

  6. Client/Server Architecture • A computing architecture in a LAN or WAN environment • Clients on network perform certain processing functions when requesting information from a server in the network

  7. Client/Server Architecture • TCP/IP to establish communications between clients and servers • Clients handle the user interface • screen formatting, display of results, input/output • make requests and send them to the application server

  8. Client/Server Architecture • Server searches for requested information and sends results to the client(s) • Server performs database management, information retrieval, transaction and processing tasks. • Server delivers access to files, applications, and network communications.

  9. File Server Architecture • User requests information from a server • Entire database file is downloaded in the computer making the request • results in slow communication between the user’s computer and the server.

  10. File Server Architecture • Software programs are loaded onto the server only. • Installing updates are done in server • Updates take less time to install than those in client/server architecture

  11. Client/Server Architecture • One client may connect to one or more servers: OPAC server, T-mail server, and other servers • One server may connect to multiple clients concurrently.

  12. Client/Server Architecture • Each client that is connected in a client/server network must have part of the automation software (e.g., user interface) loaded into the computer (hard disk) that allows it to perform certain application tasks.

  13. Client/Server Architecture • If all OPACs in a network must have access to the Web, all clients must have a Web browser. • If all clients must provide access to e-mail, they must have the e-mail client software loaded on them.

  14. Client/Server Architecture • Servers may be large scale computers, mid-range computers, or high speed microcomputers. • True client/server means that the application was originally designed to run on a network (LAN or WAN).

  15. Client’s Functions/Tasks • Handles the user interface. • Translates the user's request into the desired protocol. • Sends the request to the server. • Wait for the server's response. • Present the results to the user.

  16. Server’s Functions/Tasks • Receives a request/query from the client. • Processes the query. • Returns the results back to the client. • Client presents the results to the user.

  17. Two-Tier • Server: Processes database tasks such as search and retrieval. • Client: Processes application tasks. • A request is generated in the client and transmitted to the server. • The Database Management System that resides on the server searches for the desired information and transmits the results of the request to the client. • The client present the information to the user on the screen.

  18. Three-Tier • Used when applications are in high demand. • An additional server is used for application processing tasks. • Both the client and the additional server perform application processing tasks. • The other server performs the database management tasks (searching, retrieval, etc.).

  19. Types of Client/Server: Thin Clients • Computer terminals rather than desktop computers. • Do little or no data processing tasks. • Process information (input/output). • Used to lower PCs and Macs cost used in a network.

  20. Types of Client/Server: Thin Clients • May be used as e-mail stations, Web access stations, and/or OPACs stations. • Can co-exist with thick or fat clients in a network.

  21. Client/Server Architecture • Benefits • See Bilal, 2002, pp. 33-34. • Disadvantages • See Bilal, 2002, p. 34. • Additional information is found at: • http://www.sei.cmu.edu/str/descriptions/clientserver.html • http://www.answers.com/topic/client-server

  22. Options for Hardware Configurations • Non-networked (a.k.a. stand-alone) • Advantages • Disadvantages • Difference between stand-alone hardware configuration and stand-alone software configuration.

  23. Options for Hardware Configurations • Networked: LAN-based • Advantages • Disadvantages • Networked: WAN-based • Advantages • Disadvantages

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