Three-Tier Client/Server

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What Does Three-Tier Client/Server Mean?

A three-tier client/server is a type of multi-tier computing architecture in which an entire application is distributed across three different computing layers or tiers. It divides the presentation, application logic and data processing layers across client and server devices.

It is an example of three-tier application architecture.

Techopedia Explains Three-Tier Client/Server

A three-tier client/server adds an additional layer/tier to the client/server-based two-tier models. This additional layer is a server tier that acts as an intermediary or middleware appliance. In a typical implementation scenario, the client or first tier holds the application presentation/interface and broadcasts all of its application-specific requests to the middleware tier server. The middleware or second tier calls the application logic server or third tier for application logic. The distribution of the entire application logic across three tiers helps optimize the overall application access and layer/tier level development and management.

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Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert
Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert

Margaret is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.

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