Question

What do you call a computer on a network that requests files from another computer ?

• A. A client
• B. A host
• C. A router
• D. A web server

Hint:

To remember the distinction:
- Client = Requesting device/program (e.g., your smartphone browser).
- Server = Providing/Responding device (e.g., Google or Wikipedia host servers).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Most computer networks operate on the client-server model, which partitions tasks or workloads between the providers of a resource or service, called servers, and the service requesters, called clients.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us define the roles of the network components provided in the options:
- A Client:
In a network, a client is a computer hardware device or software program (like a web browser) that requests files, services, data, or web pages from a centralized server.
Thus, the requesting computer is called a client.
- A Host:
A host is any computer or device connected to a network that has an assigned IP address, which can act as both a client and a server.
It is a general term rather than a specific term for the requesting machine.
- A Router:
A router is a specialized networking device that forwards data packets between computer networks to direct traffic, rather than requesting files.
- A Web Server:
A web server is a computer that stores, processes, and delivers website files to clients over the Internet via the HTTP/HTTPS protocols, acting as the service provider rather than the requester.

Step 3: Final Answer:
A computer on a network that requests files from another computer is called a client (Option A).