Describe any possible disadvantages to the server approach compared
with the use of individual workstations operating in isolation

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Request for Question Clarification by haversian-ga on 09 Dec 2002 20:15 PST

What application?

In general, the only disadvantage of a server over a cluster is price.

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Clarification of Question by teddy78-ga on 10 Dec 2002 02:46 PST

I have to describe any possible disadvantages to the server approach
when comparing with the use of individual work stations operating in
isolation. There is not any particular application and we can assume
the server and workstation in general.

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Request for Question Clarification by j0e-ga on 10 Dec 2002 06:43 PST

your question is a bit too vague.

"the server approach" to what? what is the activity in question?

what is the difference (in your terms) between a server and
workstation?

what does "in isolation" mean? off the network? geographically
dispersed all over the world?

i'd love to answer but we need more details.

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Clarification of Question by teddy78-ga on 10 Dec 2002 08:16 PST

Basically the question wants us to write about the disadvantages when
you approach(when you use) a server(any network related combined
workstation)rather than approaching an individual workstation(could be
any work stations related to networks)operating in isolation(working
by itself)

I do understand, that the question is too vague and that's the main
reason I have chosen Google. Hope this would make sense to you

i'm not sure if this is the kind of info you want but here's some
thoughts:

workstations tend to be less expensive which means they have less
reliable hardware that performs at a lower level than server hardware

workstations also may have software/OS settings that make using them
easier (e.g. a unix server might not have any Xwindows/GUI installed)

servers often have other people using them for something (clients) so
they will be slowed down. alternately, if you are doing something on
the server, it might slow down all the clients and cause other
performance problems re: memory, cpu, disk

there is also a security risk. a server by definition handles tasks
for multiple users, so having something operate on the server
increases the vulnerability of the services and data on the server

is that the kind of info you wanted?

Hi j0e-ga !
Thanks for posting a comment regarding my question and that is the
answer (that kind of)I am looking for. It would be grateful if you can
give me a brief answer for that question.

Thank you