What is a potential disadvantage of the client-server architectural pattern?*1 pointNetwork latencyScalabilityDecentralized dataEase of maintenance

Understanding the Client-Server Architectural Pattern

The client-server architectural pattern is widely used in networked applications, allowing multiple clients to communicate with a centralized server. While it has several advantages, such as ease of management and centralized data control, it also has its drawbacks.

Analyzing the Potential Disadvantages

1. Network Latency: This refers to the delay that occurs when data is transmitted over a network. In client-server architectures, all requests and responses have to travel to and from the server, which can lead to increased latency, especially if the server is remote or the network is congested.

2. Scalability: While the client-server model can handle a growing number of clients, the server can become a bottleneck as the number of simultaneous connections increases. This can limit the scalability of an application, especially if the server is not designed to handle high loads or if resources are finite.

3. Decentralized Data: In a typical client-server setup, data is centralized on the server. This can create issues if the server goes down, leading to data inaccessibility and potential data loss.

4. Ease of Maintenance: Maintaining a centralized server can be more complex compared to decentralized systems, as it requires consistent updates, backups, and monitoring to ensure that it operates effectively.

Conclusion

Among the options provided, Network Latency stands out as a significant disadvantage. It can adversely affect the performance and user experience because it relies on continuous communication over the network, which can introduce delays that become more pronounced as the distance or load increases.