System Design

SQL Server Features

• Ease of installation, deployment, and use. SQL server includes a set of administrative and development tools that simplify the ability to install, deploy, manage, and use database.
• SQL server provides all the tools required to fine tune SQL server installations running production online systems.
• SQL server is also capable of operating efficiently on the small, single user system with minimal administrative overhead
• Scalability
• The same SQL server 7.0 database engine can be used across platforms ranging from laptop computers running Ms Windows 95/98/NT etc.
• The database engine is a robust server that can manage terabyte databases being accessed by thousands of users.
  At the same time, when running at its default settings, SQL server 7.0 has features such as dynamic self tuning that let it work effectively on laptops and desktops without burdening users with administrative tasks.
• Data warehousing: SQL server includes for extracting and analyzing summary data online analytical processing (OLAP). It also includes tools for visually designing databases and analyzing data using English based questions.
• System integration with other server software: It integrates with email, internet, and windows.
  

The Client/Server Architecture

The client server architecture involves multiple computers connected in a network. The computers that process applications and request services from another computer are called clients. The computer designed top process the database is called the server. All users have their own computers to process applications. Ina a database environment, the clients may communicate with the server by means of programming interfaces called middleware. These interfaces provide connectivity between applications and databases.

Roles for client and server computers