HP Intelligent Management Center Standard Software Platform - Manual (Page 698)

network. Because of the high processing demands required by a network
server, the computer used as the server is often a high-powered, fast machine
that may contain multiple processors, multiple hard drives, and multiple
CD-ROM drives.
A network client is a single computer workstation that is used regularly by
one or more company employees. A user works on the client and accesses
data and applications from the server over the network. Large processing
jobs that require a lot of time and resources are handled by the server, and
the finished results are sent back to the client. This provides more efficient
time management for users because the local workstation has less processing
time and more "up" time available to the user.
Many modern computer applications are based on this client/server
architecture. A simple client/server application has two parts: a server-based
application that is located on a network server machine, and a client-based
application that is located on a user's workstation. The server application
handles complex, time-consuming, or power-demanding processes, taking
advantage of the network server's power and resources, while the client
application provides an easy-to-use user interface designed to help get the
work done faster and better than it could otherwise be done.
Often, a client/server application will be available with a certain number of
seats, depending on the cost of the application. Each seat represents either
a single client workstation, or a single client user (depending on the software
vendors' specifications) that can be connected to the client/server software.
Software vendors often sell additional seats for their applications, each seat
coming with a complete set of client application software.
698 Crystal Reports 2008 SP3 User's Guide
Understanding Databases 25
Using SQL and SQL databases