Category:Summary of network computing

NETWORK COMPUTING

The concept of network computing had its origins in 1995 with Oracle Corporation's concept of full-service client-server computing, where individual computers would rely on central servers on an internal network for all applications, databases, and information. Desktops would be minimally equipped with application-specific thin clients intended primarily to communicate with servers that would be responsible for all data processing. (In contrast a fat client would comprise a stand-alone PC workstation fully equipped with all requisite applications.) This model of network computing allows for lower costs of installation security, and maintenance since databases and applications would need to be maintained only on the central server, not at every workstation. This model has been found particularly useful for task-oriented professionals in engineering, medicine, accounting, and real-estate focused on content rather than technology, as well as in back-office operations supported by clerical and sales staff. One disadvantage to this model is that as clients increase in number, servers need to be upgraded given the additional computing burden placed on them, thus raising infrastructure and maintenance costs.

Internet computing also means that business data is consolidated onto large servers for global Internet access, easy management, and speedier business application usage. Remote access computing is supported through remote access servers and concentrators. The Internet computing model is valuable to businesses because it can lower computing costs without the complexity of general-purpose operating systems. Computers with different operating systems would utilize Internet protocols as they accessed, computed, and communicated over the Internet. This model is thought to combine the best of the mainframe and client-server worlds by centralizing backups and offering users an intuitive graphical interface. In effect, client-server computing would expand to allow computing via TCP/IP over the Internet, allowing the use of different systems and platforms as long as a Web browser with a graphical interface provided a point of entry for a Web user. Additionally, mobile and remote computing becomes possible in this model, with all users required only to have access to the Internet and a Web browser installed on their machines.

In fact, the trend toward mobile and other computing devices is expected to change the profile of Internet computing in the next 10 years, with an increase in the usage of handhelds, wireless, and miniature "wearable" computers. Increased reliance on Internet computing will lead to data storage, synchronization, and scheduling being consolidated at centralized server farms that connect the corporate office and remote workers through broadband links. The concept of building hard-wired applications for functions such as inventory and accounting will evolve into a more dynamic reliance on toolkits for a particular task, as is already evident in the proliferation of shareware, freeware and discountware on the Internet. More than ever before, a menu of software tools is mow available to complete any project. These tools, while occasionally downloaded to the desktop, are increasingly expected to reside on the network.