In server-based computing, the centralized servers are responsible for processing and storing the data. It is most common in large enterprises, where instead of allowing each computer to possess its processing capabilities, it enables access through the network to a client or centralized computing system. Hospitals, schools, call centers, and banks are examples of large organizations that primarily integrate server-enabled computing into their processes.
Such a facility enables these organizations to achieve centralized control over their resources while increasing overall efficiency. Easy to manage, streamlined updates and better security are advantages of such computing while providing lower hardware requirements for client-side computers.
What are the Capabilities of Server-Based Computing?
With higher computing capabilities, these central servers efficiently perform almost all computing tasks, such as data processing, application execution, and storage. Users require a network to access these capabilities from centralized resources, usually using terminals like standard computers.
Key Features:
Server Capabilities:
They play a significant role across server-based computing as they take responsibility for hosting data and applications. Also, it handles user authentication, processes, and manages data.
Thin Clients:
User’s devices, commonly known as thin clients, possess only minimal processing power. Their primary purpose is to act as an interface for accessing the resources from the server. In other words, these end-user devices are primarily useful as input or output devices, such as a display unit, a mouse, and a keyboard. Windows Terminal Services, Citrix, and Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) are thin client examples.
Centralized Resources:
The primary feature includes the presence of centralized resources for server-based computing. Servers manage and store all computing resources, data, and applications. Users or clients can generally access those resources from the servers over a network connection.
Client Responsibilities:
They include capturing user inputs and displaying interfaces, additionally, relaying commands over to the server, and receiving output for display.
Advantages:
- It is easy to secure, manage, and update software and data as it is managed centrally with IT networking administrators operating all the software functionalities from a single location.
- With data not residing on local devices but on secure servers, there is enhanced security.
- Organizations can attain cost minimization due to the increasing affordability of thin clients, which require less maintenance cost.
- Adding new users is a straightforward process that helps accomplish tasks without incurring significant expenses, particularly in hardware resources.
Disadvantages:
- Users depend heavily on network connectivity, requiring a faster and more reliable network connection.
- There is a risk of overloading the server as server-based computing relies heavily on server resources, leading to a degradation in performance with several connected users.
- Almost all the resources are available over the server, limiting offline capability.
Application Areas of Server-Based Computing
Server-based computing finds application across various business sectors, including educational institutions and corporate environments like banks and call centers, which employ several employees. Also, remote access systems are helpful when users are spread across different locations, requiring them to connect securely to access internal applications. Let’s see in detail where server-based computing results in efficiency, security, and manageability.
Educational Institutions:
These computing devices offer more economic solutions to implement remote learning environments or shared computer labs successfully. It helps reduce hardware costs and simplify administration.
Healthcare Systems:
Across the healthcare system, secure access is vital for accessing different files, especially healthcare applications and patient records. These server-based solutions provide centralized security while complying with data regulations like HIPAA.
Work-from-Home:
Organizations offering work-from-home options for their employees require adopting this system to ensure a consistent and secure environment by limiting the internal system directly. Helps employees to access internal data and tools from multiple locations.
Government and Public Sector:
It ensures secure computing as it does not permit unintentional users to access secure data easily. A good example is when a government agency delivers desktop environments for remote offices. Cost efficiency and centralized compliance are some benefits.
Retail Chains:
Server-based computing is useful for larger retail chains with multiple branches spread across different locations for managing Point of Sale (POS) systems. The server-based system helps in managing transactions and updating prices across stores.
The examples above are a few applications of server-based computing.