CENTRALIZED NETWORK COMPUTING MODELS

Network Computing Models

A network can be designed for processing information by either the client or the server. The network model can also be structured in a way that both the client and the server can process information. Depending on this flexibility, network computing models can be of three types:
Centralized network computing model
Distributed network computing model
Collaborative network computing model

Centralized Network Computing Model

In the centralized network computing model, the clients use the resources of high-capacity servers to process information. In this model, the clients are also referred to as dumb terminals with very low or no processing capability. The clients only connect to the server and not to each other. The following figure shows the centralized network computing model:

Advantages
Some of the advantages of the centralized network computing model are:

• Centralized data management: In a centralized network computing model, data is stored on the server. This increases the reliability of data because all data modifications are stored at a central location.
  
• High level of security: The centralized network computing model is a highly secure network model. This is because network security can be implemented and monitored centrally from the server.
  
• Cost effectiveness: High-end investment is required for establishing a high-capacity and secure server. On the other hand, clients require very low investment. This reduces the overall cost of setting up a centralized network.

Limitations
The centralized network computing model is a conventional model that is used only by a few network setups due to the following limitations:

• Low performance and network speed: The centralized network computing model consists of a server that manages numerous requests, simultaneously. This increases network traffic, consequently reducing the speed and performance of the network.
  
• Central point of failure: The server is the central place for storing data and processing all client requests. If the server fails, the functioning of the entire network is disrupted.