The Client/Server Model

Web services, as well as most other Internet services, use a client/server model. The server provides the services, which are usually requested by the client. A Web client typically uses a Web browser to make requests, and the server responds to those requests by delivering Web pages, for example. While end users (the clients) are generally concerned only with what's going on at their end, you, as an Internet professional, may need to be knowledgeable about both ends. Figure 6.1 shows an example of a Web server responding to client requests.