The client contains the user interface and may perform some or all of the application processing. Servers can be high-speed microcomputers, minicomputers or even mainframes. A database server maintains the databases and processes requests from the client to extract data from or update the database. An application server provides additional business processing for the clients. Routers see the network as network addresses and all the possible paths between them.
Routers often serve as an internet backbone, interconnecting all networks in the enterprise.
Switched Ethernet An Ethernet network that runs through a high-speed switch. Changing to switched Ethernet means replacing the Ethernet hub with a switch. Instead of sharing 10 Mbps for Ethernet or 100 Mbps for Fast Ethernet among all users on the network segment, the full bandwidth is made available to each sender and receiver pair. A major advantage in migrating to switched Ethernet is that the existing NICs are still used. . A device that adapts a terminal or computer to a telephone line.