Re: client-server

On Tue, 4 Nov 2003 20:58:29 UTC, [EMAIL PROTECTED] (cmee) wrote:

> I'm sorry I know this is very basic but if someone can answer this
> then they will help me with my course.  What is a client-server?

  The "client-server model" or a "client-server conversation or
relationship" generally implies how two or more entities 
communicate together.  In this case, you have a "client" and a
"server".  The server provides some service to clients.  Clients
ask the server to help them do something.  The concept is
ancient, dating back to the beginnings of hardware and software.
Its almost a useless buzzword when used by most people.

  Contrast this with the "peer-to-peer model".  Generally
a peer functions as both client and server.  Peers help
each other out in performing some task.

  A good example might be ftp, the File Transfer Protocol.
It is best described using the term "client-server".
The client can get file lists, and transfer files from the
server.  The server provides these services.

  Contract that to a product like Napster, that is best
described as "peer-peer".  Actually it has lots of relationships
but the people talking about them talk about the peer
functionality.  So how is that different?  You still have 
the client interface -- find and get a file.  The server
side finds and provides the files.  The peer-to-peer part
is that servers can talk with each other and exchange files.
Anoth good example of this are the News Servers you are reading
this message on.  You read/post with a client.  The News Server
you talk to exchanges posts with other News Servers all over
the planet/internet and provide you with more posts than actually
went to your local News Server.

  I hope that helps,

  David