Client/Server Computing

Introduction | Cost | Sustainability | User Productivity | Reliability and Security | Conclusion

Reliability and Security
Reliability and security is a concern for any corporate computer system. These issues require special attention when considering a change from mainframe to client/server technologies.

Mainframes have a reliability of 99.9% The reliability of a client/server system is dependent upon the design of the system and thus must be designed to meet the business model of the company. If reliability is a concern the system can be built with redundancy and backup servers but this will increase cost and complexity of the system.

Security in a computing environment is also a considerations in the decisions to switch to client/server computing. Mainframes are very secure because they are generally placed in 'glass rooms' with hardened infrastructure and controlled access. Client/server systems are distributed and therefore more difficult to secure.

The CIO must know the requirements of a computing system in regards to security and reliability before making a decision to change from mainframe computing to a client/server computing environment.