Client-Server

Question 1

What do clients do?

Answer 1

Clients make requests to a server e.g request to access www.bbc.co.uk to a web server.

Question 2

Characteristics of a client

Answer 2

• Dependent on the server to provide and manage information.

Question 3

What does a server do?

Answer 3

Manages a client’s request and responds e.g ensures the client can access a website.

Question 4

Characteristics of a server

Answer 4

• Controls network security
• Controls backups
• Can be upgraded to manage higher demand.

Question 5

Advantages of a client-server network

Answer 5

• Network can be controlled centrally from the server to easily manage backup data and update software.
• Hardware, software and resources can be shared across the network e.g applications.
• The network allows for improved scalability, meaning more clients can be easily added to the central server.

Question 6

Disadvantages of a client server network

Answer 6

• Large amounts of traffic congestion cause the network to slow down.
• If a fault occurs with the server, the whole network fails.
• IT technicians may be required to manage and maintain the network.
• Malware e.g viruses can spread quickly across the network.