The difference between the two and three-tier client/server configuration, are the tiers (layers) that make up the systems. In a two-tier system you have a client and a server, each has the capability of doing the processing for the application (Brown, DeHayes, Hoffer, Martin, & Perkins, 2012). The software is loaded on the client computer, and access the data server directly. In a three-tier system, there is an additional server/computer between the client and data server; this third component contains the business logic or processing for the application (Brown, DeHayes, Hoffer, Martin, & Perkins, 2012; Luke, n.d.). A three-tier configuration could be a web-enabled business application. The client (tier-one) would be a web browser on your computer, the application server (tier-two) is the web server that hosts the site or application, and data server is the tier-three system that is accessed by the tier-two server, not the tier-one client. Whereas, a two-tier system the client software is loaded on the client computer when opened the client software will retrieve and process the data from the data server.
A fat client is loaded locally on a computer, where a thin client is
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Each configuration has its advantages and disadvantages; complexity or flexibility, cost (hardware and software), performance, scalability and user load. We have software that is designated with a site license, meaning that we can run unlimited instances at our physical address. We have other software packages that are licensed to an individual user’s device. Multiple variables must be considered in deciding how software is loaded and presented to the user base. Each software package has it individual licensing and system requirements. We use a combination of two-tier and three-tier system depending the variables that is listed