Engineering
What is the Client-Server Model?
The client-server model is a computing model where clients request services and servers provide them. This is the fou...
Mar 202510 min read
The client-server model is a computing model where clients request services and servers provide them. This is the foundation of the modern web, database, and application architectures.
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References & Disclaimer
This content is adapted from Mastering System Design from Basics to Cracking Interviews (Udemy). It has been curated and organized for educational purposes on this portfolio. No copyright infringement is intended.
Why is it important?
- Enables efficient resource management: Centralizing data and services on powerful servers.
- Ubiquitous: Used in web browsing, email, APIs, databases, and cloud services.
Real-world examples:
- Browsing a website: Your Browser (Client) requests a page from a Web Server (Server).
- Sending an email: Your Email App (Client) sends data to a Mail Server (Server).
Key Components of the Client-Server Model
- Client: The user-facing application that sends requests.
- Examples: Web browser, mobile app, API consumer.
- Server: A system that processes requests and returns responses.
- Examples: Web server, database server, mail server.
- Network: The medium that facilitates communication between clients and servers.
- Examples: Internet, LAN, Wi-Fi, 5G.
[!NOTE] In modern systems, the "Server" of one request might act as a "Client" to another service (e.g., a Web Server requesting data from a Database).