What Is a Client-Server Network? - Definition, Advantages & Disadvantages

How we can define a computer network? A network consist of two or more computers intended to share resources is a computer network. So a system where two or more computers connected to central computer to share or use resource and that central computer is known as server is a client-server network. Why this named termed as client-server? because the central server computer serving the resources to its connected computer but except the computer other devices can also be a part of this network. In this network environment each computer hold its own files and resources or the other computer can also access its files and resources this scenario is known as peer-to-peer. One of the uniqueness of this network is that files and resources are centralized. So the other computers can access the files from the server only if the server is ON without caring of the other computers. Primary function of this network is create a division of labor between a server and individual computers and model has some of the benefits that are successfully to create any business.

Advantages of Client-server Network

Advantages of using such network is security to access such network user need to fulfil some credentials like username and password and if the user is not authenticated it prevent the user to access network.

Provide centralized network user is not dependent to other systems to access the files because file is already stored on the centralized server and data security is also controlled through the server.

Network is flexible enough that any new technology can be easily integrated into the systems.

Environment is interoperable means all component work together either server, network or client. Intranet capability, Internet monitoring.

Disadvantages of Client-server Network

This network can cause congestion. To setup such network is higher than anticipated cost. Lack of scalability in terms of network operating system are not scalable. Dependability increase especially when the network goes down.