---
title: "Features of client/server architecture"
subject: "Computer Networks and Security"
chapter: 1
key: "semester_7/computer_networks_and_security:client-server-features"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/computer_networks_and_security/client-server-features
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Features of client/server architecture

Computer Networks and Security · Chapter 1: Introduction to Computer Network

- Asked in: 2070 Chaitra, 4 marks
- Video: [Client Server Architecture in detail](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5CgfS0Y4Uc) — Learn Then Code
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/computer_networks_and_security/client-server-features
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/computer_networks_and_security/chapter-1

## Question

What are the features of Client/Server Architecture?

## Short answer

Clients request services while servers process and respond. Features include centralized resources, security, and backup; role separation; scalability; hardware/OS independence; message-based communication; and easy maintenance.

## Answer

**Client/Server architecture** divides an application between service requesters (clients) and service providers (servers) connected through a network.

#### Features
1. **Role separation:** the client sends requests and presents results; the server processes requests and returns responses.
2. **Centralised resources:** data, files, printers and databases are kept on the server, so they are easy to share and manage.
3. **Centralised security and backup:** access control, authentication and backup are done at the server.
4. **Scalability:** more clients or more servers can be added as demand grows.
5. **Location transparency:** the client need not know where or how the service is carried out.
6. **Hardware and OS independence:** different client platforms can use the same server through standard protocols.
7. **Resource sharing and cost saving:** expensive hardware (high-end storage, printers) is used by many clients.
8. **Message-based communication:** clients and servers talk by request/response messages (for example HTTP).
9. **Easy maintenance:** upgrading the server software updates the service for all clients.

**Disadvantage:** the server is a single point of failure and a possible bottleneck.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. In client/server architecture, which role is correct?
   A. Client processes requests; server presents results
   B. Client sends requests and presents results; server processes requests and returns responses
   C. Both only store data
   D. Server sends requests to clients
   Answer: B. The client requests and presents; the server processes and responds. (Key point: Role separation)

2. Where are access control, authentication and backup done?
   A. On each client
   B. At the server
   C. At the router
   D. Nowhere
   Answer: B. Security and backup are centralised at the server. (Key point: Centralised security)

3. What is the main disadvantage of the architecture?
   A. It cannot scale
   B. The server is a single point of failure and possible bottleneck
   C. Clients cannot share resources
   D. It needs identical OS on all clients
   Answer: B. Everything depends on the server, so its failure or overload affects all clients. (Key point: Single point of failure)

4. How can different client platforms use the same server?
   A. Through standard protocols (hardware and OS independence)
   B. Only if they have the same OS
   C. Only via a direct cable
   D. Not possible
   Answer: A. Standard protocols make the architecture independent of client hardware and OS. (Key point: Platform independence)

## Related in Computer Networks and Security

- [Server before client; TCP reliability](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fcomputer_networks_and_security%3Atcp-server-before-client-reliability) — Computer Networks and Security, chapter 5, asked 2×
- [Client-server vs peer-to-peer](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fcomputer_networks_and_security%3Aclient-server-vs-p2p) — Computer Networks and Security, chapter 1
- [HTTP request served by server](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fcomputer_networks_and_security%3Ahttp-request-served) — Computer Networks and Security, chapter 6

## Related in other subjects

- [Client/server architecture and FTP operation](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Finternet_and_intranet%3Aclient-server-ftp) — Internet and Intranet, chapter 3
- [Architecture before specification; client-server](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fsoftware_engineering%3Aarchitecture-before-specification) — Software Engineering, chapter 3
- [Client-server versus distributed object architecture](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fsoftware_engineering%3Aclient-server-vs-distributed-object) — Software Engineering, chapter 3
- [Multiprocessor versus client-server architecture](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fsoftware_engineering%3Amultiprocessor-vs-client-server) — Software Engineering, chapter 3