Thick & Thin clients
Thin client: A client that depends on more powerful servers to fulfill its requirements and processing.
Thick client: A fully specified computer(or any device) like most people have at home and doesn't require servers to do any extra processing for them.
Thin client
- Advantages
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- Disadvantages
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- Easy and cheaper to set up new clients as fewer resources are needed.
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- Clients are dependent on the server so if it goes down, all clients are affected.
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- The server can be configured to distribute all the hardware and software resources needed.
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- Can slow down with heavy use.
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- Hardware and software changes only need to be implemented on the server.
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- May require greater bandwidth to cope with the client requests.
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- Easier for the network manager to control clients.
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- High-specification servers are expensive.
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- Greater security as clients has fewer access rights.
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Thick client
- Advantages
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- Disadvantages
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- Reduced pressure on the server, leading to more uptime.
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- Reduced security if clients can download software or access the internet remotely.
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- Clients can store programs and data locally, giving them more control.
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- More difficult to manage and update as new hardware and software need installing on each client machine.
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- Can be difficult to ensure data integrity where many clients are working on local data.
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- Data is more likely to be lost or deleted on the client-side.
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- Fewer servers and lower bandwidth can be used.
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- Suitable for tablets and mobile phones that require more processing and storage to be done on the server-side.
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