NSUBUGA WILSON

2019/BIT/097/PS
CLIENT SERVER ASSIGNMENT 4
1. In Client/Server computing, explain the following with example in detail

(a) Dynamic Data Exchange

DDE is usually described as a conversation between two applications, a client application and a server
application. The client program is on that requests (receives) the information, and the server is the one
that response (supplies) it For an example,

If an application wants to connect a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet with Microsoft

Word for windows report in such a way that changes to the spreadsheet are reflected automatically in
the report, in that case. Microsoft Word for windows is the client and Microsoft Excel is the server, a
simplest way to set up a DDE link is to copy a block of data from the server application to the clipboard,
activate the client application, move the insertion point to the location in the receiving document where
you want the information to go, and then use a Paste Link command. Using Paste Link is the easiest way
to establish a DDE link

(b) RPC, Remote Procedure Call

By using RPC, programmers of distributed applications avoid the details of the interface with the
network.eg The client makes a procedure call that sends a request to the server and waits. The thread
is blocked from processing until either a reply is received, or it times out. When the request arrives, the
server calls a dispatch routine that performs the requested service, and sends the reply to the client.
After the RPC call is completed, the client program continues.

(c) Remote Boot Service

Remote command execution is when a process on a host cause a program to be executed on another
host, usually the invoking process wants to pass data to the remote program, and capture its output
also.eg Some of the business functions such as downloading data from a host or checking a list of stock
prices might also be invoked locally to run remotely.

(d) Diskless Computer

A diskless computer is designed to provide a low-cost user interface for applications that run in a
network X-server as part of a distributed X Window System. Typically, diskless computers are connected
to a server running a UNIX-based operating system in a mainframe, minicomputer, or workstation. A
terminal specially designed to run an X-server which allows users to display the output of programs
running on another computer using the X-protocol over a network.
(e) Object-linking and embedding

The capability to be simultaneously involved in multiple processes becomes attractive. Independent

tasks that can be activated to manage communications processes, such as electronic mail, electronic
feeds from news media and the stock exchange, and remote data collection (downloading from remote
servers) applications which can be dynamically linked together to provide the desktop information-
processing environment.

2. Explain the role of client in Client/Server computing and also explain the various services provide by
client.

Responsible for managing the user interface. Accepts and checks the syntax of user inputs. User input
and final output, if any, are presented at the client workstation. Acts as a consumer of services provided
by one or more server processors.

Processes application logic. The role of the client process can be further extended at the client by
adding logic that is not implemented in the host server application. Local editing, automatic data entry,
help capabilities, and other logic processes can be added in front of the existing host server application.

Inter process communication .The communication between two processes take place via buffer. The
alternative way of communication is the process of the interprocess communication.

Remote services In client server model applications can be invoked directly from the client to execute
remotely on a server. The workstation is responsible to provide various remote services. Among them
some services like remote login, remote command execution, remote backup services, remote tape
drive access and remote boot services, and remote data access are importan

Window services. operating system at the client workstation provides some windows services, these
services are capable of to move, view, activate, hide, or size a particular window

Dynamic data exchange. DDE is a feature of some operating systems presentation manager that
enable users to pass data between applications to application.

Object linking and embedding. Object Linking and Embedding two services collectively called as a
single one, carried out with simple edit menu procedures. To link with OLE copy data from OLE
supporting program to the Clipboard. Then use the paste link command in another OLE supporting
program.

Print/Fax services. Client generates print/fax requests to the printer/fax machine without knowing
whether they are free or busy. In that task network operating system helps the client to generate the
requests. These requests are redirected by the NOS redirector software and managed by the print/fax
server queue manager. The users at the client workstation can view the status of the print/fax queues at
any time. And also some of the print/fax servers acknowledge the client workstation when the print/fax
request is completed.

Database services .Client/Server model provides integration of data and services allow clients to be
isolated from inherent complexities such as communication protocols. The simplicity of client server
architecture allows clients to make request that are routed to the database server

3. Explain the server functionality, in detail, for Client/Server computing.

Open port: The server opens a port at which the client request reached.

Wait for client: The server waits for a new client to send a request.

Choose port: If necessary, the server allocates new local port for this request and informs the client

Start slave: The master starts an independent, concurrent slave to handle this request (for example: in
UNIX, it forks a copy of the server process). Note that the slave handles one request and then
terminates–the slave does not wait for requests from other clients.

Continue: The master returns to the wait step and continues accepting new requests while the newly
created slave handles the previous request concurrently. Because the master starts a slave for each new
request, processing proceeds concurrently.

Servers must protect themselves against malformed request or against request that will cause the
server program itself to abort.

Server takes responsibility for enforcing the system access and protection policies where the operating
system will not restrict a server program if it attempts to access a user files.

The complexity that results because the server handles concurrent requests, erver programs usually
need to execute with the highest privilege because they must read system files, keep logs, and access
protected data.

4. What is Interring Process Communication (IPC) and what are services provided by IPC? Also explain
various protocol used for IPC.

It is specifically to the mechanisms an operating system provides to allow the processes to manage
shared data
Services provided by IPC
The unit of communication (message).
Point-to-point communication endpoints (port).
Multicast communication endpoints (groups).

5. What was the primary motivation behind the development of the RPC facility?

RPC specifically supports network applications by calling arguments which are passed to the remote
procedure and the caller waits for a response to be returned from the remote procedure.

How does a RPC facility make the job of distributed applications programmers simpler?
Remote procedure call mechanism that takes place during an RPC call between two networked systems,
the client makes a procedure call that sends a request to the server and waits. The thread is blocked
from processing until either a reply is received, or it times out. When the request arrives, the server calls
a dispatch routine that performs the requested service, and sends the reply to the client. After the RPC
call is completed, the client program continues.

6. Explain basic Interprocess Communication Mechanism. Explain Port Management and Message
Passing in IPC.

7. What are the main similarities and differences between the RPC model and the ordinary procedure
call model?

Both are a powerful technique for constructing distributed, client-server based applications. The
essence of the technology is to allow programs on different machines to interact using simple procedure
call or return semantics, just as if the two programs were on the same machine.

Both are based on extending the notion of conventional or local procedure calling, so that the called
procedure need not exist in the same address space as the calling procedure.

The two processes may be on the same system, or they may be on different systems with a network
connecting them. That is, the procedure call is used for access to remote services.

In client-server based applications a binding is formed when two applications have made a logical
connection and are prepared to exchange commands and data.

By using RPC and procedure call, programmers of distributed applications avoid the details of the
interface with the network.

8. Why do most RPC system support call by value semantics for parameter passing?

RPC allow programs on different machines to interact using simple procedure call or return semantics,
just as if the two programs were on the same machine. It is based on extending the notion of
conventional or local procedure calling, so that the called procedure need not exist in the same address
space as the calling procedure.

9. Explain the difference between the terms service and server.

The server is any computer process providing the services to the client and also supports multiple and
simultaneous clients requests.

The client is any computer process that requests services from server.

10. Explain the role of server in Client/Server computing and also explain the various services
provided by server.

The server is responsible for controlling and providing shared access to available server resources.

The server is responsible for managing the serverrequester interface so that an individual client
request response is synchronized and directed back only to the client requester.
 The server must provide shared memory services and multitasking support.

And services include;

Application services: Application servers provide business services to support the operation of the
client workstation. In the Client/Server model these services can be provided for entire partial business
functions that are invoked by IPC

File services: A file server can store any type of data, and so on simpler systems, may be the only
server necessary.File services are responsible to handle access to the virtual directories and files located
on the client workstation and to the server’s permanent storage.

Database services: Early database servers were actually file servers with a different interface. Products
such as dBASE, Clipper, FoxPro, and Paradox execute the database engine primarily on the client
machine and use the file services provided by the file server for record access and free space
management

Print/fax/image services: High-quality printers, workstation-generated faxes, and plotters are natural
candidates for support from a shared server.

Communications services: Client/server applications require LAN and WAN communication services.
Basic LAN services are integral to the NOS. WAN services are provided by various communications server
products.

Security systems services: Client/server applications require similar security services to those
provided by host environments.