kliendiserver

Kliendiserver, in Estonian usage, refers to the client–server computing model. In this model, programs on client devices request services or resources from centralized servers, which process the requests and return responses. The term is commonly used to describe a wide range of networked applications, from web services to database access, where clear roles exist for clients and servers.

Clients are end-user applications or devices that initiate communication, such as web browsers, mobile apps, or desktop programs. Servers host resources or services, such as web pages, application logic, or databases, and respond to client requests. Interactions typically follow a request–response pattern over a network, often using stateless protocols. Servers may maintain state through sessions, tokens, or cookies as needed.

Common architectures include three-tier or N-tier designs, with a presentation layer on the client, an application layer on the server, and a data layer behind the server. Protocols and formats such as HTTP/HTTPS, RESTful APIs, SOAP, and message queues enable interaction. Data storage may be relational or non-relational databases, file storage, or other services.

Advantages include centralized management, security, and scalability, as servers can be scaled independently and clients remain lightweight. Challenges encompass potential single points of failure, network latency, and the need for robust security and monitoring. Stateless protocols and caching, load balancing, and redundant infrastructure help address these issues.

Security considerations cover authentication, authorization, encryption (TLS), input validation, and secure API design. Architectural patterns vary from traditional on-premises deployments to cloud-based services with managed databases and auto-scaling. The kliendiserver model remains foundational to much of modern computing, enabling modular, interoperable services across platforms.