definition of server

I notice 2 features that the servers in client/servers networks have:
Centralization and Server Provides.

However, in the case of Fat clients, it's centralised, but does the
server still provide?

If I have loads of computers running VNC or Radmin or some remote
viewing software. And I sit at another computer and access them all,
then that is centralised. Is that a Fat client and is the computer I
am on called a server (even though it isn't providing at all)?

On 18 Apr 2005 17:34:54 -0700, jameshanley39@yahoo.co.uk wrote:

A server is a program or process that listens for a connection from
another (client) process. The client is the process that initiates
the connection.

As an example, a web server listens on port 80. A web browser (the
client) initiates the connection and asks for some data, the web page.

Another example is a POP (mail) server. The POP server at your ISP
waits for a connection. Your mail client (e.g. Ximian Evolution or
Microsoft Outlook), initiates the connection. The POP server then
provides (serves) the contents of the POP mail box to the client.

Servers listen for a connection.
Clients initiate connections.
The transfer of data can then be in either direction, but generally
the client requests data that the server then provides.

Dan


>I notice 2 features that the servers in client/servers networks have:
>Centralization and Server Provides.
>
>However, in the case of Fat clients, it's centralised, but does the
>server still provide?
>
>If I have loads of computers running VNC or Radmin or some remote
>viewing software. And I sit at another computer and access them all,
>then that is centralised. Is that a Fat client and is the computer I
>am on called a server (even though it isn't providing at all)?

<jameshanley39@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1113870894.662491.249820@l41g2000cwc.googlegr oups.com...
>I notice 2 features that the servers in client/servers networks have:
> Centralization and Server Provides.
>
> However, in the case of Fat clients, it's centralised, but does the
> server still provide?
>
> If I have loads of computers running VNC or Radmin or some remote
> viewing software. And I sit at another computer and access them all,
> then that is centralised. Is that a Fat client and is the computer I
> am on called a server (even though it isn't providing at all)?
>
>
There is considerable ambiguity in the use of the terms client and server.
If one thinks of their use in terms of the role of a process/task, there is
less
ambiguity. Then one can think of the computing platform that is host of the
process. Note that both client and server processes can reside on the same
platform. Further, a process may be in both a client role and a server role
(at different times) or in different tasks.

Ed



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