3.1 The principles behind client-server systems

Question 1

What are the principles of client-server systems?

Answer 1

Acronym: SSHOP
S -> Standards
S -> Software Independence
H -> Hardware Independence
O -> Open Access to Services
P -> Process Distribution

Question 2

Explain the Principle of hardware independence.

Answer 2

This principle is to ensure that the client, server, and communication middleware can all work on different hardware correctly, in the same way.

Question 3

Explain the Principle of Software Independence.

Answer 3

This principle ensures that the client, server, and communication middleware works on multiple operating systems, with multiple network protocols, and with multiple applications.

Question 4

Explain the Principle of Open Access to Services.

Answer 4

This principle ensures all clients should be able to access every service on the network on demand, regardless of the location of the client or server.

Question 5

Explain the Principle of Process Distribution.

Answer 5

This principle ensures that processes are distributed between clients and servers, but certain rules must be followed including:
-> Clients and servers should each have clearly defined roles
-> Clients and servers should take full advantage of resources, and focus on their strengths. e.g servers should serve multiple clients at once
-> The system must be scalable
-> Client and server must work together smoothly as a single system.

Question 6

Explain the Standards principle.

Answer 6

This means all principles must be based on a set of standards, like ODBC for data accessing or TCP/IP for the network.