Client-Server Model

Last Updated: October 13, 2012

Definition - What does Client-Server Model mean?

The client-server model is a distributed communication framework of network processes among service requestors, clients and service providers. The client-server connection is established through a network or the Internet.

The client-server model is a core network computing concept also building functionality for email exchange and Web/database access. Web technologies and protocols built around the client-server model are:

Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
Domain Name System (DNS)
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)
Telnet

Clients include Web browsers, chat applications, and email software, among others. Servers include Web, database, application, chat and email, etc.

Techopedia explains Client-Server Model

A server manages most processes and stores all data. A client requests specified data or processes. The server relays process output to the client. Clients sometimes handle processing, but require server data resources for completion.

The client-server model differs from a peer-to-peer (P2P) model where communicating systems are the client or server, each with equal status and responsibilities. The P2P model is decentralized networking. The client-server model is centralized networking.

One client-server model drawback is having too many client requests underrun a server and lead to improper functioning or total shutdown. Hackers often use such tactics to terminate specific organizational services through distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.