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The TCP/IP Guide  9  Networking Fundamentals       9  Fundamental Network Characteristics

Message Addressing and Transmission Methods: Unicast, Broadcast and Multicast Messages 1 2 3 4 Types and Sizes of Networks

Client/Server Networking

In this design, a small number of computers are designated as centralized servers and given the task of providing services to a larger number of user machines called clients. The servers are usually powerful computers with a lot of memory and storage space, and fast network connections. The clients are typically smaller, “regular” computers like PCs, optimized for human use.

The term “client/server” also frequently refers to protocols and software, which are designed with matching, complementary components. Usually, server software runs on server hardware, and client software is used on client computers that connect to those servers. Most of the interaction on the network is between client and server, and not between clients, as shown in Figure 6. Server software is designed to efficiently respond to requests, while client software provides the interface to the human users of the network.

Message Addressing and Transmission Methods: Unicast, Broadcast and Multicast Messages 1 2 3 4 Types and Sizes of Networks