3. Client Server - Benefits and issues
Benefits
- Central location for file storage. Users can use any workstation to access their work.
- Central control of data backups. No need to back up the files from every workstation.
- Authentication (e.g. username / password) are handled centrally
- Users can even access their work area on the server from home if they have a VPN setup
- Single software licence required, rather than one for each workstation.
- Applications can be downloaded and patched on the server alone, requiring less time and bandwidth to keep up to date.
- Anti-virus and other security software are handled from the server
- Users have access to networked printers and peripherals
Issues
- Client-server operating systems can be expensive
- Servers are expensive.
- Specialist staff are needed to look after the servers e.g. network manager and technician
- A server failure can cause massive disruption to the network
Challenge see if you can find out one extra fact on this topic that we haven't already told you
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