Hi, I have to do report on the major differences between a file-server network and a client-server network. To me they pretty much seem like the same thing. Can anyone please help me out here? Or give me a decent link? I searched but couldn't find anything really on topic. The report is two pages so I need quite a bit of information. Thanks in advance :)

To be honest....this doesn't make a lot of sense to me unless they mean the difference between a domain and a workgroup. I would ask for a little clarification since servers, file and otherwise, are part of a client-server network.

I know i found it odd myself. Apparently a file server sends the clients entire files, where as a client server does most of the processing on the server itself. Or something along those lines. Here is the exact wording of the task I have to do: "Research and discuss the major differences between a Client-Server network and a File-Server network and produce a two page report comparing and discussing the benefits and reasons why one network type would be chosen instead of the other. Include an example of where each type may be found (it will probably be the name of an actual company or organisation)." Hope that helps. I'm having a really hard time with this. I know that one basic difference, but I can't find enough information for a two page report. Thanks

Unless you are thinking of a Client / Server Relation, there is not a client server, I'm going to agree with curt here. Clients connect to servers. Do you mean application server? Spplication servers do processing and file servers just hold data.

Research and discuss the major differences between a Client-Server network and a File-Server network and produce a two page report comparing and discussing the benefits and reasons why one network type would be chosen instead of the other. Include an example of where each type may be found (it will probably be the name of an actual company or organisation)." That is an odd question! I've been doing this for around 15 yr's now. I have taken two 2 year diploma courses. I have certifications out my ears and have never seen, nor heard of anyone referring to a "file server network". File servers are part of a network. Generally speaking you divide networks into the two types I mentioned earlier....Domain vs Workgroup. Or to put it differently, Centralized vs Distributed (with regard to resources, accounts, users etc). I wonder if this is a question out of a book, or one an instructor made up? Apparently a file server sends the clients entire files, where as a client server does most of the processing on the server itself. That makes me think of a main frame vs PC's. With a main frame all the processing is done on the main frame and users accesss it through dumb terminals (called dumb because they do no processing). With a PC based network, clients do all the processing on their workstation. I still think the question is worded incorrectly. I see why you're having trouble finding information and think you're going to have more. Good luck with it!

I would have to agree with miller, the file server just holds data, everyone’s docs and such. The "Client Server" (application server) Runs all the apps from it and all the "clients" or workstations just run off the Client server so that there is no real info on the clients or workstations. You could say that the file server is used to share files and docs with all the workstations so that everyone has access to files that need to be shared where as the client server runs the apps and holds all the data so no one individual has any data on there station. Sorry a little long winded.

Thanks for your replies guys it helped a lot. I think it could be on the wrong track though, as I found this: http://www.qview.com/support/version4/faq0009.htm Which I'm sure is more what I'm supposed to be writing about, but I don't see how I'm supposed to write two pages on that one difference. And yes the question is the instructors wording, not out of a book. I asked him about it and he just said to research them because they are different. Big help lol. Thanks