Page 117 - Webapplication11_C11_Flipbook
P. 117
Server
A server, also known as a host computer, is a computer that controls access to the hardware and software on the
network and provides a centralised storage area for the programs, data, and information. It is responsible for providing
services to all the computers connected to the network. A network can have multiple servers. Each server has a unique
name that all nodes in the network use to identify it. There are two types of servers:
Server
Dedicated Server Non-dedicated Server
Ð ÐDedicated Server: A dedicated server is typically utilized in large computer network deployments. It is a special
computer that is allotted to handle all the server’s task. It facilitates the availability of data, software, and hardware
resources to all the nodes connected to the network. It does not double as a workstation but simply maintains the
network, and these networks are known as master-slave networks.
ÐNon-dedicated Server: A workstation that can function as a server in a small network is known as non-dedicated
Ð
server. Peer-to-Peer(P2P) networks are small networks that use such type of server.
Client
A client is a computer that depends on the server for all its resources. It sends a request to the server for any resources
and gets server responses with the requested service. For example, a server might store a network version of the Excel
program. Every client on the network can access the Excel program from the server.
NIU (Network Interface Unit)
A network interface unit is a device that connects each workstation to the
server and allows the server and workstations to communicate with one
another. When a solitary computer becomes a workstation, it requires an
interface to allow it to connect to the network; otherwise, workstations will
be unable to share network resources or communicate with one another. The
Network Interface Card (NIC), also known as the Terminal Access Point (TAP),
serves as an interpreter. Each NIC card is given a unique physical address by
the NIC manufacturer, which is known as the MAC address.
Switching Techniques
Data is efficiently transmitted over the network using switching techniques. Let us understand what these switching
techniques are exactly. There are two types of switching techniques used today to facilitate communication between
two computers on a network:
Switching Techniques
Circuit Switching Packet Switching
Circuit Switching
A communication technique in which a dedicated and continuous connection is established between a sender
and receiver to communicate with each other is called circuit switching. It requires a physical connection between
computers to work.
Basics of Networking 115

