Difference between centralized and client server architecture
Answers
Centralized DBMSs Architecture
Architectures for DBMSs have followed trends similar to those for general computer system architectures. Earlier architectures used mainframe computers to provide the main processing for all system functions, including user application programs and user interface programs, as well as all the DBMS functionality. The reason was that most users accessed such systems via computer terminals that did not have processing power and only provided display capabilities. Therefore, all processing was performed remotely on the computer system, and only display information and controls were sent from the computer to the display terminals, which were connected to the central computer via various types of communications networks.
As prices of hardware declined, most users replaced their terminals with PCs and workstations. At first, database systems used these computers similarly to how they had used display terminals, so that the DBMS itself was still a centralized DBMS in which all the DBMS functionality, application program execution, and user inter-face processing were carried out on one machine. Figure 2.4 illustrates the physical components in a centralized architecture. Gradually, DBMS systems started to exploit the available processing power at the user side, which led to client/server DBMS architectures.
Basic Client/Server Architectures
First, we discuss client/server architecture in general, then we see how it is applied to DBMSs. Theclient/server architecture was developed to deal with computing environments in which a large number of PCs, workstations, file servers, printers, database servers, Web servers, e-mail servers, and other software and equipment are connected via a network. The idea is to define specialized servers with specific functionalities. For example, it is possible to connect a number of PCs or small workstations as clients to a file server that maintains the files of the client machines. Another machine can be designated as a printer server by being connected to various printers; all print requests by the clients are forwarded to this machine. Web servers or e-mail servers also fall into the specialized server category. The resources provided by specialized servers can be accessed by many client machines. Theclient machines provide the user with the appropriate interfaces to utilize these servers, as well as with local processing power to run local applications. This concept can be carried over to other software packages, with specialized programs—such as a CAD (computer-aided design) package—being stored on specific server machines and being made accessible to multiple clients. Figure 2.5 illustrates client/server architecture at the logical level; Figure 2.6 is a simplified diagram that shows the physical architecture. Some machines would be client sites only (for example, diskless work-stations or workstations/PCs with disks that have only client software installed).
• DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
CENTRALISED AND CLIENT
SERVER ARCHITECTURE :
• Centralised Architecture :
1) Here,the data is in one place.
2) Have one large computer to
which you connect a large
number of terminals.
3) Everyone is working directly on
the machine that holds the
database.
• Client server Architecture :
1) Here, the clients are in a different
place than the data.
2) It simply means the database is
considered one unit managed by
one DBMS in one location and to
which clients connect.
3) Client/Server DB system relies on
a single database-server, which
passes information to a client
machine, where some of the data
processing is done.