NMCA-E12: CLIENT SERVER COMPUTING

Unit III Client/Server Network

Client/Server Network: connectivity, communication interface technology, Inter process
communication, wide area network technologies, network topologies (Token Ring, Ethernet,
FDDI, CDDI) n
etwork management, Client-server system development: Software, ClientServer System
Hardware: Network Acquisition, PC-level processing unit, Macintosh, notebooks, pen, UNIX
workstation, x-terminals, server hardware.

Communication Network
Networking is the practice of linking two or more computing devices together for the purpose of
sharing data. Networks are built with a combination of computer hardware and computer
software. Networks can be categorized according to
1. The geographic area it spans (LAN, MAN, WAN).
2. Topology (Bus, Star, Ring , Mesh)
3. Types of protocols they support. (TCP/IP. FTP, HTTP, HTTPS, IMAP)

OSI Model (Open Systems Interconnect)

The OSI reference model provides an industry standard framework for network and system
interoperability. Organizations need and expect to view their various workgroup LANs as an
integrated corporate-wide network. Citicorp, for example, is working to integrate its 100
independent networks into a single global net.

Fig: OSI Model with 7 layers.

1. The OSI model provides the framework definition for developers attempting to create
interoperable products.

2. Because many products are not yet OSI-compliant, there often is no direct
correspondence between the OSI model and reality.
3. The OSI model defines seven protocol layers and specifies that each layer be insulated
from the other by a well-defined interface.
1. Physical Layer

The physical layer is the lowest level of the OSI model and defines the physical and
electrical characteristics of the connections that make up the network.
It includes such things as interface specifications as well as detailed specifications for the
use of twisted-pair, fiber-optic, and coaxial cables.
Standards of interest at this layer for client/server applications are IEEE 802.3 (Ethernet),
and IEEE 802.6 (Token Ring) that define the requirements for the network interface card
(NIC) and the software requirements for the media access control (MAC) layer.
Other standards here include the serial interfaces EIA232 and X.21.

2. Data Link Layer

The data link layer defines the basic packets of data expected to enter or leave the
physical network. Bit patterns, encoding methods, and tokens are known to this layer.
The data link layer detects errors and corrects them by requesting retransmission of
corrupted packets or messages.
This layer is actually divided into two sub layers:
o The media access control (MAC) - The MAC sub layer has network access
responsibility for token passing, collision sensing, and network control.
o The logical link control (LLC). - The LLC sub layer operates above the MAC and
sends and receives data packets and messages.
Ethernet, Token Ring, and FDDI define the record format of the packets (frames) being
communicated between the MAC layer and Network layer.

3. Network Layer

The network layer is responsible for switching and routing messages to their proper
destinations. It coordinates the means for addressing and delivering messages.
It provides for each system a unique network address, determines a route to transmit data
to its destination, segments large blocks of data into smaller packets of data, and performs
flow control.

4. Transport Layer

When a message contains more than one packet, the transport layer sequences the
message packets and regulates inbound traffic flow.
The transport layer is responsible for ensuring end-to-end error-free transmission of data.
The transport layer maintains its own addresses that get mapped onto network addresses.
Because the transport layer services process on systems, multiple transport addresses
(origins or destination) can share a single network address.

5. Session Layer

The session layer provides the services that enable applications running at two
processors to coordinate their communication into a single session.
A session is an exchange of messagesa dialog between two processors.
This layer helps create the session, inform one workstation if the other drops out of
the session, and terminate the session on request.

6. Presentation Layer

The presentation layer is responsible for translating data from the internal machine
form of one processor in the session to that of the other.

7. Application Layer

The application layer is the layer to which the application on the processor directly
talks. The programmer codes to an API defined at this layer.
Messages enter the OSI protocol stack at this level, travel through the layers to the
physical layer, across the network to the physical layer of the other processor, and up
through the layers into the other processor application layer and program

Network Topologies

Topology specifies the geometric arrangement of the network. Common topologies are a bus,
ring, and star.
1. Bus Topology: A bus topology means that each computer on the network is attached to a
common central cable, called a bus or backbone. This is a rather simple network to set up.
Ethernets use this topology.
2. Ring Topology: A ring topology means that each computer is connected to two others,
and they arranged in a ring shape. These are difficult to set up, but offer high bandwidth.

3. Star Topology: A star topology means all computers on the network are connected to a
central hub. These are easy to set up, but bottlenecks can occur because all data must pass
through the hub.

Communications Interface Technology

Connectivity and interoperability between the client workstation and the server are achieved
through a combination of physical cables and devices, and software that implements
communication protocols.
1. LAN Cabling
2. Ethernet IEEE802.3
3. Token ring IEEE 802.5
4. FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface)
5. CDDI(Copper Distributed Data Interface)
1. LAN Cabling
Studies have shown that over 65 percent of all LAN downtime occurs at the physical layer.
Desktop bandwidth requirements can be handled by copper (including CDDI). Fiber between
wiring closets will handle the additional bandwidth requirements of a backbone or switch-toswitch configuration. Cabling standards include RG-58 A/U coaxial cable (thin-wire 10Base2
Ethernet), IBM Type 1 (shielded, twisted pair for Token Ring), unshielded twisted pair (UTP for
10BaseT Ethernet or Token Ring) and Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI for 10BaseT or
Token Ring).
Wireless LAN technology is useful and cost-effective when the cost of cable installation is high.
The transmitter communicates with a receiver across the room to provide the workstation server
connection. Wireless communication is somewhat slower than wired communication. It also is
subject to interference by other transmitters, such as remote control electronics, antitheft
equipment, and point-of-sale devices.
2. Ethernet IEEE802.3
Ethernet networks have a maximum throughput of 10 Mbps. 10BaseT Ethernet is a standard that
enables the implementation of the Ethernet protocol over telephone wires in a physical star
configuration (compatible with phone wire installations). Its robustness, ease of use, and low cost
driven by hard competition have made 10BaseT the most popular standards-based network
topology.
3. Token ring IEEE 802.5
In an environment that is primarily IBM hardware and SNA connectivity, Token Ring is the
preferred LAN topology option. Token Ring implementation is a modified ring configuration that
provides a high degree of reliability since failure of a node does not affect any other node. Only
failure of the hub can affect more than one node. Token Ring networks implement a wire
transmission speed of 4 or 16 Mbps. A single 100Mbps is a standard for both Token Ring and
Ethernet networks.
100VG-AnyLAN is designed to operate over a variety of cabling, including unshielded twisted
pair (Categories 3, 4, or 5), shielded twisted pair, and FDDI. The technology 100VG-AnyLAN
will result in low-cost, high-speed network adapter cards that can be used in PCs and servers
running on either Token Ring or Ethernet LANs.
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4. Fiber Distributed Data Interface

The Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) provides support for 100 Mbps over optical fiber,
and offers improved fault tolerance by implementing logical dual counter rotating rings. The
physical implementation of FDDI is in a star configuration, and provides support for distances of
up to 2 km between stations. The advantages of using FDDI are performance, capacity,
throughput and high-performance environments.
Station Management Technology (SMT) is the portion of the standard that provides ring
configuration, fault isolation, and connection management. This is an important part of FDDI,
because it delivers tools and facilities that are desperately needed in other access method
technologies.
There are two primary applications for FDDI: first as a backbone technology for interconnecting
multiple LANs, and second, as a high-speed medium to the desktop where bandwidth
requirements justify it. A substantial increase in end-user fiber is driven by the bandwidth
demands of multimedia and the availability requirements of business critical applications.
5. CDDI(Copper Distributed Data Interface)
Copper Distributed Data Interface, CDDI is officially called the Twisted-Pair Physical Medium
Dependent (TP-PMD) standard and is a data transmission standard that uses either shielded
twisted-pair (STP) or unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) copper wire. The standard is based
on FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface) which uses fiber optic lines instead of copper wires.
CDDI can be utilized for distances up to 200 meters and allows for a dual-ring capacity of 200
Mbps, unlike FDDI, which can be utilized for distances much greater than 200 meters, but only
allows for a capacity of 100 Mbps. It conforms to the OSI model and is defined by the American
National Standards Committee X3-T9.5. CDDI was adopted into the X3-T9.5 standard in 1994.
Ethernet vs. Token Ring Vs. FDDI Imp
The Ethernet technique works well when the cable is lightly loaded but, because of collisions
that occur when an attempt is made to put data onto a busy cable, the technique provides poor
performance when the LAN utilization exceeds 50 percent. To recover from the collisions, the
sender retries, which puts additional load on the network. Ethernet users avoid this problem by
creating subnets that divide the LAN users into smaller groups, thus keeping a low utilization
level.
Token Ring performance is slightly poorer on lightly loaded LANs but shows linear degradation
as the load increases, whereas Ethernet shows exponential degradation after loading reaches 30
percent capacity.
Numerical on Token Ring
In a 16-Mbps Token Ring network, the length of the token is 3 bytes. How long does it
take for a station to produce a token?
Data Rate 16 Mbps
Token Size = 3 bytes = 3*8 =24 bits
Time to produce a token = Token Size/ Data Rate = 24 / 16*10^6 sec = 1.5microsec

Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)

ATM has been chosen by CCITT as the basis for its Broadband Integrated Services Digital
Network (B-ISDN) services. It is a standard for carrying of a complete range of user traffic,
including voice, data, and video signals. The integrated support for all types of traffic is provided
by the implementation of multiple classes of service categorized as follows:
Constant Bit Rate (CBR): connection-oriented with a timing relationship between the
source and destination, for applications such as 64 kbits voice or fixed bit rate video.
Variable Bit Rate (VBR): connection-oriented with a timing relationship between the
source and destination, such as variable bit rate video and audio
Bursty traffic: having no end-to-end timing relationship, such as computer data and LANto-LAN
ATM's capability to make the "computing aywhere" concept a reality is made possible because
ATM eventually will be implemented seamlessly both in the LAN and in the WAN. By providing
a single network fabric for all applications, ATM also gives network managers with the required
flexibility to respond promptly to business change and new applications.

Information

ATM Cell (53 Bytes)

Delivery Point

Hubs
Hubs provide integrated support for the different standard topologies (such as Ethernet, TokenRing, and FDDI) over different types of cabling. By repeating or amplifying signals where
necessary, they enable the use of high-quality UTP cabling in virtually every situation.
There are three different types of hubs.
Workgroup hubs support one LAN segment and are packaged in a small footprint for small
branch offices. Wiring closet hubs support multiple LAN segments and topologies, include
extensive management capabilities, and can house internetworking modules such as routers or
bridges. Network center hubs, at the high end, support numerous LAN connections, have a highspeed backplane with flexible connectivity options between LAN segments, and include fault
tolerance features.
Internetworking Devices Bridges and Routers
Internetworking devices enable the interconnection of multiple LANs in an integrated network.
Bridges provide the means to connect two LANs togetherin effect, to extend the size of the
LAN by dividing the traffic and enabling growth beyond the physical limitations of any one
topology. Bridges operate at the data link layer of the OSI model, which makes them topologyspecific. Thus, bridging can occur between identical topologies only (Ethernet-to-Ethernet,
Token Ring-to-Token Ring). Source-Route Transparent bridging, a technology that enables
bridging between Ethernet and Token-Ring LANs, is seldom used.
Routers operate at the network layer of the OSI model. They provide the means to intelligently
route traffic addressed from one LAN to another. They support the transmission of data between
multiple standard LAN topologies. Routing capabilities and strategies are inherent to each
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network protocol. Intelligent routers can handle multiple protocols; most leading vendors carry
products that can support mixes of Ethernet, Token Ring, FDDI, and from 8 to 10 different
protocols.
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
Today, the Internet is a worldwide interconnected network of universities, research, and commercial
establishments. The TCP/IP protocol suite is now being used in many commercial applications. It is
particularly evident in internetworking between different LAN environments. TCP/IP is specifically
designed to handle communications through "networks of interconnected networks." In fact, it has now
become the de facto protocol for LAN-based Client/Server connectivity and is supported on virtually
every computing platform. More importantly, most inter process communications and development tools
embed support for TCP/IP where multiplatform interoperability is required. It is worth noting that IBM
has followed this growth and not only provides support for TCP/IP on all its platforms, but now enables
the transport of its own interoperability interfaces (such as CPIC, APPC) on TCP/IP.
TCP/IP's Architecture
The TCP/IP protocol suite is composed of the following components: a network protocol (IP) and its
Client/Server Computing routing logic, three transport protocols (TCP, UDP, and ICMP), and a series of
session, presentation and application services. The following sections highlight those of interest.
Internet Protocol
IP represents the network layer and is equivalent to OSI's IP or X.25. A unique network address is
assigned to every system, whether the system is connected to a LAN or a WAN. The system comes with
its associated routing protocols and lower level functions such as network-to-physical address resolution
protocols (ARP). Commonly used routing protocols include RIP, OSPF, IGRP, and Cisco's proprietary
protocol. OSPF has been adopted by the community to be the standards-based preferred protocol for large
networks.
Transport Protocols
TCP provides Transport services over IP. It is connection-oriented, meaning it requires a session to be set
up between two parties to provide its services. It ensures end-to-end data transmission, error recovery,
ordering of data, and flow control. TCP provides the kind of communications that users and programs
expect to have in locally connected sessions.
UDP provides connectionless transport services, and is used in very specific applications that do not
require end-to-end reliability such as that provided by TCP.
Telnet
Telnet is an application service that uses TCP. It provides terminal emulation services and supports
terminal-to-host connections over an internetwork. It is composed of two different portions: a client entity
that provides services to access hosts and a server portion that provides services to be accessed by clients.
Even workstation operating systems such as OS/2 and Windows can provide telnet server support, thus
enabling a remote user to log onto the workstation using this method.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
FTP uses TCP services to provide file transfer services to applications. FTP includes a client and server
portion. Server FTP listens for a session initiation request from client FTP. Files may be transferred in

either direction, and ASCII and binary file transfer is supported. FTP provides a simple means to perform
software distribution to hosts, servers, and workstations.
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
SNMP provides intelligence and services to effectively manage an internetwork. It has been widely
adopted by hub, bridge, and router manufacturers as the preferred technology to monitor and manage their
devices. SNMP uses UDP to support communications between agentsintelligent software that runs in
the devicesand the manager, which runs in the management workstation. Two basic forms of
communications can occur: SNMP polling (in which the manager periodically asks the agent to provide
status and performance data) and trap generation (in which the agent proactively notifies the manager that
a change of status or an anomaly is occurring).
Network File System (NFS)
The NFS protocol enables the use of IP by servers to share disk space and files the same way a Novell or
LAN Manager network server does. It is useful in environments in which servers are running different
operating systems. However, it does not offer support for the same administration facilities that a
NetWare environment typically provides.
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)
SMTP uses TCP connections to transfer text-oriented electronic mail among users on the same host or
among hosts over the network. Developments are under way to adopt a standard to add multimedia
capabilities (MIME) to SMTP. Its use is widespread on the Internet, where it enables any user to reach
millions of users in universities, vendor organizations, standards bodies, and so on. Most electronic mail
systems today provide some form of SMTP gateway to let users benefit from this overall connectivity.
TCP/IP and Internetworks
Interestingly, the interconnected LAN environment exhibits many of the same characteristics found in the
environment for which TCP/IP was designed. In particular

Routing: Internetworks need support for routing; routing is very efficient in TCP/IP environments
with efficient protocols such as OSPF.
Connections versus Connectionless: LAN activity includes both; the TCP/IP protocol suite
efficiently supports both within an integrated framework.
Administrative Load Sensitivity: A LAN administrative support is usually limited; contrary to
IBM's SNA, TCP/IP environments contain a tremendous amount of dynamic capabilities, in
which devices and networks are dynamically discovered, and routing tables are automatically
maintained and synchronized.
Networks of Networks: TCP/IP provides extreme flexibility as the administrative approach to the
management of federations of networks. Taking advantage of its dynamic nature, it enables very
independent management of parts of a network (if appropriate).

Interprocess Communication
At the top of the OSI model, interprocess communications (IPCs) define the format for application-level
interprocess communications. IPCs take advantage of services provided by protocol stacks such as
TCP/IP, LU6.2, Decnet or Novell's IPX/SPX. In reality, a great deal of IPC is involved in most
client/server applications, even where it is not visible to the programmer.
The use of IPC is inherent in multitasking operating environments. The various active tasks operate
independently and receive work requests and send responses through the appropriate IPC protocols. To

effectively implement client/server applications, IPCs are used that operate equivalently between
processes in a single machine or across machine boundaries on a LAN or a WAN.

IPCs should provide the following services:

Protocol for coordinating sending and receiving of data between processes
Queuing mechanism to enable data to be entered asynchronously and faster than it is
processed
Support for many-to-one exchanges (a server dealing with many clients)
Network support, location independence, integrated security, and recovery
Remote procedure support to invoke a remote application service
Support for complex data structures
Standard programming language interface
All these features should be implemented with little code and excellent performance.
Peer-to-Peer Protocols
A peer-to-peer protocol is a protocol that supports communications between equals. This type of
communication is required to synchronize the nodes involved in a client/server network
application and to pass work requests back and forth. NetBIOS, APPC, and Named Pipes
protocols all provide support for peer-to-peer processing.
NetBIOS
The Network Basic I/O System (NetBIOS) is an interface between the transport and session OSI
layers. NetBIOS is the de facto standard today for portable network applications.
The NetBIOS commands provide the following services:
General: Reset, Status, Cancel, Alert, and Unlink. The general services provide miscellaneous
but essential administrative networking services.
Name: Add, Add Group, Delete, and Find. The naming services provide the capability to install a
LAN adapter card with multiple logical names.
Session: Call, Listen, Send, Chain Send, Send No-Ack, Receive, Receive Any, Hang Up, and
Status. Sessions provide a reliable logical connection service over which a pair of network
applications can exchange information. Each packet of information that gets exchanged over a
session is given a sequence number, through which it is tracked and individually acknowledged.
The packets are received in the order sent and blocked into user messages. Duplicate packets are
detected and discarded by the sessions services. Session management adds approximately five
percent overhead to the line protocol.
Datagram: Send, Send-Broadcast, Receive, and Receive-Broadcast. Datagrams provide a simple
but unreliable transmission service, with powerful broadcast capabilities. Datagrams can be sent
to a named location, to a selected group (multicast) or to all locations on the network (broadcast).
There is no acknowledgment or tracking of the datagram. Applications requiring a guarantee of
delivery and successful processing must devise their own schemes to support such
acknowledgment.
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Wide Area Network Technologies

A wide area network (WAN) provides long-distance transmission of data, image, audio, and
video information over large geographic areas that may comprise a country, a continent, or even
the whole world. A WAN can be as complex as the backbones that connect the Internet or as
simple as a dial-up line that connects a home computer to the Internet
1. Frame Relay
Frame relay is a telecommunication service designed for cost-efficient data transmission for
intermittent traffic between local area networks (LANs) and between end-points in a wide area
network (WAN).
Frame Relay network services are contracted by selecting two components: an access line and a
committed information rate (CIR). This CIR speed is the actual guaranteed throughput you pay
for. However, Frame Relay networks enable you to exceed the throughput at certain times to
allow for efficient file transfers.
Frame Relay networks are often qualified as virtual private networks. They share a public
infrastructure but implement virtual circuits between the senders and the receivers, similar to
actual circuits. It is therefore a connection-oriented network. Security is provided by defining
closed user groups, a feature that prevents devices from setting up virtual connections to devices
they are not authorized to access.
2. Switched Multimegabit Data Service (SMDS)

Switched Multi-megabit Data Service (SMDS) was a connectionless service used to

connect LANs, MANs and WANs to exchange data. It is a high-speed service based on cell relay
technology, using the same 53-byte cell transmission fabric as ATM. It also enables mixed data,
voice, and video to share the same network fabric. It supports high speeds well over 1.5 Mbps,
and up to 45 Mbps. Destinations and throughput to those destinations do not have to be
predefined.
3. ATM in the Wide Area Network

ATM technologies will enable the use of the same lines for voice, data, or video communications
without pre-allocating exclusive portions of the network to each application. When designing the
architecture of the internetwork, it is important to take into account the communications
requirements. This is not just an issue of total traffic, but also of instantaneous demand and user
response requirements. If the router has access to a T1 or T3 circuit, it can provide service on
demand to any of the workstations on the LAN. This means that a single workstation can use the
entire T1 for the period needed to transmit a document or file.
4. Integrated Services Digital Network

ISDN is a technology that enables digital communications to take place between two systems in
a manner similar to using dial-up lines. Connections are established over the public phone
network, but they provide throughput of up to 64 Kbps. ISDN has two basic components:
A. B-Channel: These two channels (hence the name of 2B+D for basic rate ISDN) provide
communication services for either voice or data switched service. Data can be transmitted
in any communications protocol. The primary data or voice communication is carried. It
has a bit rate of 64 kbit/s in full duplex.
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B. D-Channel Signaling: This channel is used by the terminal equipment to control call
setup and disconnection. It is much more efficient than call control of a dial-up line; the
time required to set up a call is typically less than three seconds. The bit rate of the D
channel of a basic rate interface is 16 kbit/s, and 64 kbit/s on a primary rate interface.
ISDN Applications

ISDN can provide high quality and performance services for remote access to a LAN.
Multimedia applications offer considerable promise for future use of ISDN. The capability to
simultaneously send information over the same connection enables a telephone conversation, a
video conference, and integrated workstation-to-workstation communications to proceed
concurrently. Faxes, graphics, and structured data all can be communicated and made available
for all participants in the conversation.

Network Management
The provision of a network control center (NCC) to manage all resources in a distributed
network is the major challenge facing most large organizations today.
The key layers in the management system architecture:
1. Presentation describes the management console environment and the tools used there.
2. Reduction enables information to be consolidated and filtered, allowing the presentation
service to delegate tasks through the use of an emerging distributed program services
such as RPC, These provide the following benefits: response to problems and alerts can
be executed locally to reduce latency and maintain availability
3. Gathering of information is done by device agents. These device agents provide detailed
diagnostics, detailed statistics and precise control
There are five key OSI management areas:
1. Fault management - The facilities that enable the detection, isolation, and correction of
abnormal operation of the OSI environment.
2. Accounting management - The facilities that enable charges to be established for the use
of managed objects and costs to be identified for the use of those managed objects.
3. Configuration and name management - The facilities that exercise control over, identify,
collect data from, and provide data to managed objects for the purpose of assisting in
providing for continuous operation of interconnection services.
4. Performance management - The facilities needed to evaluate the behavior of managed
objects and the effectiveness of communication activities.
5. Security management - Those aspects of OSI security essential to operate OSI network
management correctly and to protect managed objects.
Network Management Application tools

1. Openview is the standard platform and including products such as Remedy Corporation's
Action Request System for problem tracking/process automation.
2. Tivoli's framework for system administration, management and security.
3. Support applications such as Openvision, implements effective distributed network and
systems management today
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Additional Notes
SMTP
SMTP is an Internet standard used to transmit email messages between two servers across
different IP (Internet Protocol) networks. It is a text-based protocol in which the text message is
specified along with the list of recipients for the message. Simple Mail Transfer Protocol is a
push protocol and it cannot be used to pull message from the server. However, it has a special
feature through which it can start email queuing process on a remote server. Owing to this
feature, the requesting system can receive the messages directed to it.
Functions of SMTP:
1. SMTP verifies the configuration and allows the computer to send messages. Simple mail
transfer protocol then sends the message to the prescribed destination and keeps a tab on it to
check if the message is successfully delivered or not. If the message is not delivered to the
intended recipient, it sends an error message to the sender of the message.
2. SMTP has one drawback. That is its inability to authenticate the senders, which often results in
e-mail spamming. Today, an enhanced version of SMTP is available, also referred to as Extended
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (ESMTP). You can use ESMTP to send e-mails that includes
graphics and other attachments.
POP3
POP3 is an Internet based standard used for retrieving e-mail by a user from an e-mail server.
POP is an acronym for Post Office Protocol. POP is basically used to provide simple remote
access to mailboxes. POP3 allows mail clients to connect and download their messages; these
messages are generally removed from the server and stored on the clients local machine. One of
the most important features of POP3 is its ability to check the size of the mailbox and the
message count. POP3 works well in offline environment. It also works well with an always-on
connection, but with some warnings which becomes clear when compared to IMAP.

Difference between User Agent (UA) and Mail Transfer Agent(MTA)

An MTA, or Message Transfer Agent (a.k.a., Mail Transfer Agent) is the software and other
systems that are responsible for sending and receiving mail between systems. An MUA or Mail
User Agent is the program that an end user uses to read and process mail.
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14

Client/Server Systems Development Software

Client Server Systems Development Methodology

The purpose of a methodology is to describe a disciplined process through which technology can
be applied to achieve the business objectives. Methodology should describe the processes
involved through the entire life cycle, from BPR and systems planning through and including
maintenance of systems in production.
Figure shows the processes in a typical systems integration life cycle. It is necessary to
understand and adhere to the flow of information through the life cycle. This flow allows the
creation and maintenance of the systems encyclopaedia or electronic repository of data
definitions, relationships, revision information, and so on. This is the location of the data models
of all systems. The methodology includes a strict project management discipline that describes
the deliverables expected from each stage of the life cycle. These deliverables ensure that the
models are built and maintained.
SYSTEM INTEGRATION LIFE CYCLE
1
SYSTEM
PLANNING

2
PROJECT INITITATION

3
ARCHITECTURE DEFINITION

SYSTEMS ENCYCLOPEDIA

ANALYSIS

DESIGN

DEVELOPMENT

FACILITIES ENGINEERING

IMPLEMENTATION

POST IMPLEMENTATION

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SILC phases and major activities.

SILC Phase
Systems Planning

Project Initiation

Architecture Definition

Analysis

Design

Development

Facilities Engineering

Major Activities
Initiate systems planning
Gather data
Identify current situation
Describe existing systems
Define requirements
Analyze applications and data architectures
Analyze technology platforms
Prepare implementation plan
Screen request
Identify relationship to long-range systems plan
Initiate project
Prepare plan for next phase
Gather data
Expand the requirements to the next level of detail
Conceptualize alternative solutions
Develop proposed conceptual architecture
Select specific products and vendors
Gather data
Develop a logical model of the new application system
Define general information system requirements
Prepare external system design
Perform preliminary design
Perform detailed design
Design system test
Design user aids
Design conversion system
Set up the development environment
Code modules
Develop user aids
Conduct system test
Gather data
Conduct site survey
Document facility requirements
Design data center
Plan site preparation
Prepare site
Plan hardware installation
Install and test hardware
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Implementation

Post-implementation
Support

Develop contingency procedures

Develop maintenance and release procedures
Train system users
Ensure that production environment is ready
Convert existing data
Install application system
Support acceptance test
Provide warranty support
Initiate support and maintenance
services
Support hardware and communication configuration
Support software
Perform other project completion tasks as appropriate

Project Management
The objectives of effective project management are to
1. Plan the project:
Define project scope
Define deliverables
Enforce methodology
Identify tasks and estimates
Establish project organization and staffing
Document assumptions
Identify client responsibilities
Define acceptance criteria
Define requirements for internal quality assurance review
Determine project schedules and milestones
Document costs and payment terms
2. Manage and control project execution:
Maintain personal commitment
Establish regular status reporting
Monitor project against approved milestones
Follow established decision and change request procedures log and follow up on
problems
3. Complete the project:
Establish clear, unambiguous acceptance criteria
Deliver a high-quality product consistent with approved criteria
Obtain clear acceptance of the product

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Architecture Definition

The purpose of the architecture definition phase in the methodology is to define the application
architecture and select the technology platform for the application. The organization must
consider and weight the following criteria:
Cost of operation
Ease of use for system users
Response time
Availability
Security
Flexibility to change
Use of existing technology
System interface
These application architecture issues must be carefully evaluated and weighed from a business
perspective. Only after completing this process can managers legitimately review the technical
architecture options.
The following set of technical architecture choices must be analyzed for existing structure,
organization standard and the new requirement for
Hardware (including peripherals) - environmental issues, such as temperature, dirt, and
service availability
Distributed versus centralized
Network configuration
Communications protocols
System softwareoptions are available in the locale and on the anticipated hardware and
communications platforms
Database software
Application development tools (for example, CASE)Availability of tools for the
candidate platforms, database engine, operating system, and communications platforms
Development environmento The other platform tools are being considered
o the architectural priorities related to development?
Application software (make or buy, package selection, and so on)
o Viability of the vendor
o Availability of support, source code ,
o The application architecture requirements related to product acquisition
Human interfaceExpectation of User
Systems Development Environment

An SDE comprises hardware, software, interfaces, standards, procedures, and training that are
selected and used by an enterprise to optimize its information systems support to strategic
planning, management, and operations.

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An architecture definition should be conducted to select a consistent technology platform.

Interfaces that isolate the user and developer from the specifics of the technical platform
should be used to support the creation of a single-system image.
Standards and standard procedures should be defined and built to provide the applications
with a consistent look and feel.
Reusable components must be built to gain productivity and support a single-system
image.
Training programs must ensure that users and developers understand how to work in the
environment.

The following components should be included in any SDE established by an organization:

(Software requirement for Client Server System Development)

Built-in navigationThis navigation definition is done by a business analyst , where in

for every process a default next process is identified, and all available processes are
identified.

Standardized screen designUsers and developers uses Well-defined standards for

different types of screens used for help, add, change, delete, view, and table management
functions.

Integrated helpA standardized, context-sensitive help facility should respond to the

correct problem within the business process.

Integrated table maintenance. A single table maintenance function is provided for all
applications in the organization.

Comprehensive securityA single security profile is maintained for each authorized

user. Navigation is tied to security; thus, users only see options they are eligible to use.
Every programmer and user see the same security facilities. Security profiles are
maintained by an authorized user and use the table maintenance facilities.

Automatic view maintenanceScreens are generated, navigation is prescribed, and

skeleton programs are generated based on the security profile and business requirements
defined for a process. The developer does not have to write special code to extract data
from the database. All access is generated based on the defined business processes and
security.

Standard skeleton programsAn analyst answers a set of questions to generate a

skeleton program for each business process. This feature includes standard functions that
the programmer will require.

The advantages of building an SDE and including these types of components are most evident in
the following areas:
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Rapid prototypingThe development environment generates skeleton applications with

embedded logic for navigation, database views, security, menus, help, table maintenance,
and standard screen builds. This framework enables the analyst or developer to sit with a
user and work up a prototype of the application rapidly.

Rapid codingIncorporating standard, reusable components into every program reduce

the number of lines of custom code that must be written. In addition, there is a substantial
reduction in design time, because much of the design employs reusable, standard services
from the SDE. The prototype becomes the design tool.

Consistent application designBy virtue of the prototype, systems have a common look
and feel from the user's and the developer's perspectives. This is an essential component
of the single-system image.

Simplified maintenance The use of reusable code provides the maintenance

programmer with a common look, reduced Complexity and much less new code to learn.

Enhanced performanceThe ability to make global changes in reusable components

means that when performance problems do arise, they can often be fixed globally with a
single change.

ClientServer System Hardware

Hardware/Network Acquisition
Hardware requirement for Client Server System Development
Defining set of standards simplifies the selection of the appropriate client hardware for a user
and allows buyers to arrange purchasing agreements to gain volume pricing discounts. There are
a number of issues to consider when selecting the client workstation, including
processor type,
coprocessor capability,
internal bus structure,
size of the base unit
GUI applications require VGA or better screen drivers. The use of image, graphics, or
full-motion video requires a large screen with very high resolution for regular usage.
adequate bandwidth be available to provide responsiveness
Router or Bridges based internetworking
PC-Level Processing Units

Client/server applications vary considerably in their client processing requirements and their I/O
demands on the client processor and server. As multi windowed and multimedia applications
become prevalent during 1994, many applications will require the bandwidth only provided by a
32-bit I/O bus using VESA VL-bus or Intel PCI technology. Windowed applications require
considerable processing power to provide adequate response levels.
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Macintosh

The Mac System 7 operating system is visually intuitive and provides the best productivity when
response time to GUI operations is secondary. The Motorola 68040, 8Mbytes RAM, 120Mbyte
disk is recommended.
Notebooks

Users working remotely on a regular basis may find that a notebook computer best satisfies their
requirements. The notebook computer is the fastest growing market today.
Pen

Pen-based clients provide the capability to operate applications using a pen to point and select or
write without the need for a mouse or keyboard. Frequently, they are used for verification,
selection, and inquiry applications where selection lists are available. Developers using this
technology use object-oriented software techniques that are RAM-intensive.
UNIX workstation

UNIX client workstations are used when the client processing needs are intensive. In many
applications requiring UNIX, X-terminals connected to a UNIX presentation server will be the
clients of choice.
The introduction of software from SunSoft, Insignia Solutions, and Locus Computing that
supports the execution of DOS and Windows applications in a UNIX window makes the UNIX
desktop available to users requiring software from both environments.
X-Terminals

X-terminals provide the capability to perform only presentation services at the workstation.
Processing services are provided by another UNIX, Windows, OS/2 or VMS server. Database,
communications, and applications services are provided by the same or other servers in the
network. The minimum memory configuration requirement for an X-terminal used in a client/
server application is 4-8 Mbytes RAM, depending on the number of open windows.

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