DBMS Architecture
DBMS Architecture (database management system architecture)
Types of DBMS Architecture
1-tier architecture
2-tier architecture
3-tier architecture
DBMS Architecture
- DBMS design depends on its architecture. Basic client/server architecture is used to deal with the large number of PCs, web servers, database servers and other components that are associated with the network.
- Client/Server Architecture consists of multiple PCs and a workstation which are connected via a network.
- The DBMS architecture depends on how the users are connected to the database to receive their requests.
Types of DBMS Architecture
Database Architecture can be viewed as single tier or multi-tier. But logically, there are two types of Database Architecture such as: 2-tier architecture and 3-tier architecture.
1-Tier Architecture
- In this architecture, the database is directly available to the user. This means that the user can access the DBMS directly.
- The changes made here will be done directly on the database itself. It does not provide handy tools for end users.
- 1-tier architecture is used for local application development, where programmers can directly communicate with the database for quick response.
2-Tier Architecture
- The 2-tier architecture is similar to the basic client-server. In 2-tier architecture, the applications on the client end can directly communicate with the database on the server side. For this interaction, API's such as: ODBC, JDBC are used.
- User interface and application programs are run on the client-side.
- Server side is responsible for providing functionalities such as: query processing and transaction management.
- To communicate with the DBMS, the client-side application establishes a connection with the server side.
3-Tier Architecture
- In 3-Tier architecture, there is a layer between the client and the server. In this architecture, the client cannot communicate with the server directly.
- At the client-end the application interacts with an application server which further communicates with the database system.
- The end user has no idea about the existence of the database beyond the application server. The database does not contain any information about any other user beyond the application.
- 3-tier architecture is used in case of large web applications.