Typically offered during the spring semester.

Catalog description:

An introduction to the basic hardware, software and concepts necessary to design and implement enterprise-wide client server systems. The costs and benefits of client server applications will be examined. Different client server architectures will be presented with emphasis on the way in which Web technology and the Internet can be used to implement client -server systems. Students will design and construct client-server systems utilizing remote servers on multiple platforms and several different client platforms. Testing of GUI and performance tuning will be presented. A project will be used to enable the students to apply the principles and techniques presented in class.

Prerequisite: CSA 283 or permission of instructor.

Objectives:

• To prepare the student to recognize when a client server architecture is the appropriate architecture for a particular client problem.
• To give the student an in-depth understanding of the infrastructure and technologies currently employed in the development of client server systems.
• To give the student the ability to design and construct robust client server systems.
• To appreciate the fact that the Web has evolved as the solution to the problems that have prevented IS from meeting its objectives over the years.
• To provide a historical perspective to the Web so that the student can better respond to a client's questions and needs and not reinvent the wheel.
• Teach fundamental concepts which underlie the creation of Web sites and Web pages.
• To expose a student to the minimum subset of tools which will allow him to create Web pages which can be read by any browser.
• Prepare the student to design, develop and manage an industrial strength web-site.
• Prepare the student to develop complex, interactive, scalable Internet and Extranet web applications.

Required topics (approximate weeks allocated):

• Introduction to Client/Server Computing (.5)
• Client/Server Infrastructure (1.5)
  • Server Hardware
  • Operating Systems
  • The Network
  • Middleware
• Server Software (4)
  • Web Server
  • Server-Side Programming
  • Database Servers
• Client Software (3.5)
  • Advanced HTML
  • GUI Interface Builder Software
  • Client Side Programming
• Server Site Issues for an Internet (2.5)
  • Creating an Intranet
    • HTTP
    • Addressing, Domains and TCP/IP
    • Firewalls
  • Configuring the Server
    • Authentication
    • Encryption and SSL
    • Certification
    • Proxy Servers
  • Database Connectivity (1)
• Testing (1)
  • Different problems imposed by GUI environment
  • Testing the GUI
  • Different problems imposed by the Client/Server environment
  • Testing the system
• Client/Server Application Areas (1)
  • Lotus Notes
  • Groupware
  • Electronic Mail
  • Scheduling and Calendar Management
• Tests, etc. (1)