Data Communication and Networks

(CEN 441)
Client-Server Models
By
Engr. Dr. J. D. Enoch
( Computer Engineering )

February, 2025
Presentation Outline
Peer-to-Peer vs. Client-Server Architectures
 Differences and applications of peer-to-peer and client-
server models
Client-Server Requirements and Standards
GUI design standards and interface independence
Platform independence, transaction processing, and
connectivity
Reliability, backup, and recovery mechanisms
Data Communication and Networks
Client-Server Models
• The client-server model is a network architecture where tasks or services
are distributed between providers (servers) and requesters (clients). This
model is foundational in computer networking and application
development, ensuring efficient resource management, scalability, and
communication.
• Client: A device or application that requests services, such as a user’s
computer, smartphone, or web browser.
• Server: A powerful computer or application that provides services, such as
file storage, database management, or web hosting.
Client-Server Models
Peer-to-Peer vs. Client-Server Architectures
• The client-server model contrasts with the peer-to-peer (P2P)
architecture, where devices act as both clients and servers.
Feature Client-Server Model Peer-to-Peer Model
Centralized, with servers managing Decentralized, with peers sharing resources
Structure
clients. equally.
Resource Allocation Servers allocate resources to clients. Resources are distributed among peers.
Scalability Scales with additional servers. Scales as more peers join the network.
Reliability Depends on server reliability. More robust as no single point of failure.
Centralized control makes security Security is harder to maintain due to
Security
easier to enforce. decentralization.
Web hosting, online banking, email File sharing (e.g., BitTorrent), blockchain,
Applications
services. gaming.
Client-Server Models
Client-Server Requirements and Standards
• GUI Design Standards and Interface Independence
• Graphical User Interface (GUI) Design Standards:
• Focus on usability, clarity, and consistency in interface design.
• Common standards include easy navigation, logical layout, and responsiveness across
different devices.
• Examples: Buttons, menus, and forms should behave consistently regardless of
platform.
• Interface Independence:
• Clients should access server services without worrying about the server's underlying
hardware or software.
• Enables flexibility and reduces dependency on specific platforms or technologies.
• Example: A web application that works equally well on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Client-Server Models
Platform Independence, Transaction Processing, and Connectivity
• Platform Independence:
• Applications should function across various operating systems and hardware platforms.
• Achieved through platform-neutral technologies like Java or web-based applications
(e.g., HTML, CSS, and JavaScript).
• Benefits: Reduced development costs and broader user reach.
• Transaction Processing:
• Ensures the reliable execution of tasks such as online payments or database updates.
• Transactions must meet ACID properties:
• Atomicity: All parts of a transaction must succeed or fail as a whole.
• Consistency: Transactions bring the system from one valid state to another.
• Isolation: Transactions should not interfere with each other.
• Durability: Changes made by a transaction must persist even after failures.
• Connectivity:
• Ensures seamless communication between clients and servers via reliable protocols like
TCP/IP.
• Supports secure and efficient data transfer through encryption (e.g., SSL/TLS).
Client-Server Models
Reliability, Backup, and Recovery Mechanisms
• Reliability:
• The system must operate continuously with minimal downtime.
• Achieved through:
• Redundant servers (failover systems).
• Load balancing to distribute client requests evenly.
• Backup Mechanisms:
• Regular data backups protect against data loss caused by hardware failure, cyberattacks, or human
error.
• Types:
• Full backups: Copy all data.
• Incremental backups: Copy changes since the last backup.
• Differential backups: Copy changes since the last full backup.
• Recovery Mechanisms:
• Ensure the system can restore functionality after a failure.
• Techniques:
• Disaster recovery plans, including secondary data centers.
• Database recovery methods, such as restoring from backups or transaction logs.
• Example: A banking system must recover account balances accurately after a server crash.
Questions and Answers
Client-Server Models
• Question 1:: Your company is planning to create a web-based
platform for e-commerce. Would you recommend a peer-to-peer or
client-server architecture? Justify your recommendation.
• Answer: I would recommend a client-server architecture because:
• E-commerce platforms require centralized management of data such as
product listings, customer information, and transactions.
• A client-server model ensures better security since sensitive information can
be stored and managed on the server.
• The architecture allows for scalability to handle high volumes of users and
transactions.
Questions and Answers
Client-Server Models
• Question 2: A video streaming service wants to implement a new system
to deliver high-definition content to users. What connectivity and
transaction processing features would you prioritize in a client-server
architecture for this service?
• Answer: For a video streaming service, I would prioritize:
• Connectivity: Use reliable protocols like TCP/IP to ensure smooth, uninterrupted
streaming. Implement encryption protocols like SSL/TLS for secure data
transmission.
• Transaction Processing: Implement ACID-compliant transactions for subscription
management and payment processing, ensuring atomicity, consistency, isolation,
and durability.
Questions and Answers
Client-Server Models
• Question 3: Design a backup strategy for a banking system’s client-server
network. Specify how you would incorporate full, incremental, and
differential backups.
• Answer:
• Perform full backups weekly to create a complete copy of all data.
• Use incremental backups daily to save changes made since the last backup,
minimizing storage use.
• Schedule differential backups mid-week to capture changes made since the last full
backup.
This strategy ensures frequent data recovery points with efficient storage
management, reducing downtime in case of failure.
Questions and Answers
Client-Server Models
• Question 4: Analyze the trade-offs between GUI design standards and
interface independence in a cross-platform application like a mobile banking
app.
• Answer:
• GUI Design Standards:
• Pros: Ensures consistent user experience and usability across devices.
• Cons: Requires customization for each platform, increasing development time and
cost.
• Interface Independence:
• Pros: Allows the same interface to function across multiple platforms without
modification.
• Cons: May compromise user experience by not fully adhering to platform-specific
design guidelines.
Questions and Answers
Client-Server Models
• Question 5: Compare the reliability mechanisms of a peer-to-peer
architecture with those of a client-server architecture. Which is better
suited for a disaster recovery plan, and why?
• Answer:
• Peer-to-Peer Architecture:
• Reliability relies on the distribution of resources among peers.
• Decentralization reduces the risk of a single point of failure but complicates data
synchronization and recovery.
• Client-Server Architecture:
• Centralized control allows for consistent reliability mechanisms like failover systems
and backups.
• A server can easily coordinate recovery processes and restore data quickly after a
disaster.
Questions and Answers
Client-Server Models
• Question 5: Evaluate the effectiveness of using platform-independent
technologies like Java for developing client-server applications compared to
platform-specific technologies.
• Answer:
• Platform-Independent Technologies (e.g., Java):
• Pros: Easier maintenance, broader compatibility, reduced development costs.
• Cons: May not fully utilize the features of specific platforms, leading to reduced
performance.
• Platform-Specific Technologies:
• Pros: Optimized for specific platforms, ensuring better performance and user
experience.
• Cons: Higher development and maintenance costs due to multiple codebases.
Thank You