Client VS Server - What is the difference?

Rahul NaraniyaIf you have 2 systems then how do you know that which one is client system?

The one that makes the request is a client; and the one that processes the request is a server. Any machine could be a client or a server depending upon its function.

Does this answer your question? If not, please describe the problem a bit in more detail.

Kaustubh KatdareThe one that makes the request is a client; and the one that processes the request is a server. Any machine could be a client or a server depending upon its function.

Does this answer your question? If not, please describe the problem a bit in more detail.

Thanks for the quick reply. Is there anything other than this definition? I mean if i have 2 system then without making any request just by going through some system configuration or any file which shows any specific kind of property which proves whether its a client system or server?

Rahul NaraniyaThanks for the quick reply. Is there anything other than this definition? I mean if i have 2 system then without making any request just by going through some system configuration or any file which shows any specific kind of property which proves whether its a client system or server?

A server or client is defined by the function it performs; and you can definitely figure that out by looking at the system software. For example, a web server (the system that serves http requests) will most likely have Apache or NGINX web server installed.

But that said, the 'server' functionality or 'client' functionality can be written using multiple languages and technologies. If you are familiar with the server software or client software; you can quickly figure that out by looking at the installed software or by inspecting the code.

Kaustubh KatdareA server or client is defined by the function it performs; and you can definitely figure that out by looking at the system software. For example, a web server (the system that serves http requests) will most likely have Apache or NGINX web server installed.

But that said, the 'server' functionality or 'client' functionality can be written using multiple languages and technologies. If you are familiar with the server software or client software; you can quickly figure that out by looking at the installed software or by inspecting the code.

Thanks.. Query solved.

Rahul Naraniya..... without making any request just by going through some system configuration or any file which shows any specific kind of property which proves whether its a client system or server?

At server level, you can check if the system is listening on specific port numbers, then it'll be a server. Run in your system:

netstat -na

For example a HTTPS server may be listening on port 443.