The End Of Client Server Technology

In the off chance you have not been paying attention as of late, it would seem that we are living in the age of the incredibly shrinking computer. Remember that computers have decreased from room sized devices to the desktop to the smartphone. Consider that you have more computing power right there in your mobile device than the Apollo 11 astronauts that landed on the moon back in 1969.

You may also be familiar with the term client server architecture. If not, then all you need to know is that is pretty much how you can classify how most everyone uses computer technology today. Client server is simply a phrase that mean you access information which is stored somewhere else, in this case a central server.

Here take a look at a real world example so you are on the same page. Suppose you did not know what client server meant and you were not reading this article. So you reached over and grabbed your shiny new iPhone 6 and Googled the term. In this case, you (or actually your iPhone is the client) and the computer that Google pulls the answer from is called the server. So far so good right?

Yes and no. You see, as computing power has shrunk and its availability has become near ubiquitous, some issues have started popping up. Specifically, how best to get the information from the server to you. Perhaps you have heard some of the protests from wireless carriers who make the case their networks are already overburdene

Think of it like this. Imagine any major roadway leading into a major metropolitan area. Unless and until civil engineers start constructing double decker highways, there is a real limit on how much traffic the roadway can handle. That is exactly the case that major internet providers and wireless carriers are making today.

But, and hold on to your seat, this is a big BUT. What if the model no longer fits? Consider that while the client server model served its purpose very well, perhaps there is time to rethink exactly how computing tasks and networks should work together.

The name for this is Distributed Computing. Distributed computing is simply a network of smart computers (devices) that all communicate with each other. So instead of sending anything and everything to a server somewhere, distributed computing takes advantage of all of these smart devices all linked together. Sort of like the Internet on steroids if you will.

At this point, do understand that widespread adoption of the distributed computing may be a few years off. Yet the fact remains that unless network technology makes a giant leap forward, the client server model needs a serious upgrade if not outright replacement.