As simple operating systems, clients generate requests for web pages, files, or data sets that are efficiently processed by the server. The tasks of a client operating system are mainly limited to formulating service requests.
The complex server operating system manages and handles multiple client requests simultaneously to provide them with the services requested. This functional difference between the client and server is seminal.
Key Takeaways
- Clients are computer systems or applications that request services or resources from servers; servers are computer systems or applications that provide services or resources to clients.
- Clients initiate requests and consume resources; servers process requests and deliver resources.
- Clients are end-user devices like desktops, laptops, or smartphones; servers are powerful, centralized computers or systems that host applications, databases, or files.
Client vs. Server
The difference between a client and a server is their functionality. The former operates to generate requests that are to be processed by the server. The role and function of a server are to authenticate, process, and respond to client requests.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Client | Server |
|---|---|---|
| Functionality | Client systems operate to generate requests for various services. | Server systems process client requests for various services. |
| Configuration | Client system configurations are relatively simple, as their tasks are limited to generating requests. | Server systems have a more complex and sophisticated configuration. |
| Log-in Potential | They solely support single user log-ins. | They support simultaneous multiple-user log-in and request processing. |
| Efficiency | Limited efficiency. | High performance and efficiency. |
| Tasks Performed | Fairly simple tasks that mostly include requesting services (like web pages) are common for clients. | Complex tasks like data analysis, storing and processing large datasets, and fulfilling client requests are common for server systems. |
| Power Off | They can be switched off without major repercussions. | Switching off servers may have severe repercussions. They are never switched off. |
| Included Systems | Desktops, laptops, tabs. | Web servers, data servers, network servers. |
What is a Client?
A client may be an operating system or software designed to produce requests to be processed by the server. The client system accesses the server for requests through a network.
Clients can be classified into three groups- ones that can not engage in the processing data and display the server-processed outcomes, as opposed to the second group that can process most of the data independently.
The former are thin clients, while the latter are called fat clients. Anti-virus software is an instance of fat clients.
And the third type is the hybrid variety that incorporates the characteristics of the other groups. There may be several client computers joined and connected to a single server. This is done to facilitate easy access to the resources stored on the server.
Internet protocols are the most commonly used medium for connecting to servers. But clients can also use methods like shared memory or domain sockets. Desktops, laptops, tabs, and smartphones are used as client operating systems.
What is a Server?
A server is an operating system or software used to authenticate and process requests made by client systems. The client system can request multiple kinds of information ranging from web pages to data sets.
The server responds to these requests and processes the needed information.
The operating protocol of a server is highly complex. They are suited to perform several complicated tasks like complex calculations, management of network resources, and large datasets.
They enable simultaneous multiple-user logins from clients. This is possible due to their superior system configuration.
Some servers may be dedicated to performing specific operations, while others may be shared servers enabling various usages.
Servers can be of various types, like proxy servers, web servers, database servers, etc. Servers may be located on-site – like corporate servers- or they may be stored in remote locations –like data servers.
Main Differences Between Client and Server
- The first main difference between a client and a server is their operation configurations. The client is an operating system that relies on the services of a server. The server operating system authorizes and facilitates client requests with the requested services.
- The server system is based on a relatively simple operating protocol since its functionality is mostly limited to generating requests. The server operating system is much more complex and sophisticated as it has to process and handle considerable requests.
- Only a single user can make requests using a client operating system at a given time. On the other hand, a server operating system can process multiple requests from multiple clients simultaneously. This is made possible due to the sophisticated configuration protocols of a server. Thus, only single-user logins are possible through the client system, but multiple-user logins are feasible through the server system.
- The efficiency levels of a server are much more enhanced than a client system. This is because it has to swiftly and accurately handle and process multiple client requests.
- Clients include desktops, laptops, smartphones, and tablets. At the same time, servers may include web, file, and database servers.
- The server system can store and analyze large data sets. The client system is not suited for such tasks. It is well-tuned for simpler tasks like formulating requests to be processed by the server. High-end performativity can solely be expected from the server system.
- Servers are never switched off. Switching off servers may be catastrophic for client systems that constantly request services. Client systems, on the other hand, can be switched off without fear of such repercussions.
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1540-5915.1997.tb01334.x
- https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Shakirat_Sulyman/publication/271295146_Client-Server_Model/links/5864e11308ae8fce490c1b01/Client-Server-Model.pdf
Last Updated : 13 July, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
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