System Architecture

It is the first week end at IIT KGP, having spent a week full of energy and enthusiasm at VGSOM. My College mat Mohd. Bilal called me from Pondicherry. Here goes the discussion.  

Bilal: Hey man, Congrats for getting into VGSOM...how is the time?

Me: Machi, It’s great to be here. Its full of green and lot of facilities to hang out with. More than anything its the intelligence everywhere..

Bilal:  oh, that’s interesting. You are lucky...how about classes and faculty?

Me: Its excellent here. Today, we had a very good session on Systems architecture and I felt guilty that I couldn’t know basic things, as I have been from Mechanical background. But Mr. Prithwis, our faculty, made it so easy that I just grasped it as it is.

Bilal:  oh, cool man. Can you explain me a bit on that, I also need them at my work place?

Me: Yeah sure. Basically system architecture deals with the way of designing the components to perform its work.

Bilal:  Just as we build our machines performing various mechanisms, isn’t it?

Me: Exactly, System architecture basically determines the structure of the system and its components.

Bilal: That means system architecture is customized based on our needs.

Me: yeah, we have single, two or multi tier architectures owing to different functions, scales of functions and applicaitons.

Bilal: Sorry da, I can’t get u.

Me: Ok da. log on to FB and view the picture i am just sharing now.

Let me explain about single tier architecture. Single tier architecture means that all the user interface of a particular web application, the middle ware and the data contained in a single unit.

 

 

Bilal: yeah yeah, got it.how do we draw power from single Turbo-Generator in our factory.

Me: Yes u can compare it like wise. It will be of very useful in small business environment e.g. grocery shop. The drawback of this system is only one user can use it.

Bilal:  So what is two tier architecture, does it overcome the shortcoming of single tier architecture?

Me: Wait machi, I’m coming there only. Two tier is just the next version of single tier architecture where database and application are stored in two different machines.

Bilal: Oh. Like a Backup Diesel Generator.

Me: Not Exactly, they operate simultaneously here. Here we will have a common database and the customized application were installed in different machines .All the application data computer will access the common database via LAN or WAN e.g. in a supermarket where all the sections of the store connected to the same database which stores the transactions. 

Bilal: So it is a multiuser rather than single user, the drawback of single tier architecture.

Me: Yeah, but this structure will have fair share of drawbacks. Since it is accessing the common data machine, the speed will get decreased if large number of data connected to it. Suppose if we want to change the business logic, I need to update all the computers connected to it individually. It is costly and time consuming.

Bilal: Does three tier overcome these drawbacks?

Me: great da. In three tier system, we will have middle tier which houses all the business logic. It basically acts as channels between user interference and databases. Suppose if we need to change the business logic, it is sufficient to change the logic only in the middle tie which houses it. The changes will be reflected in all the systems connected to it.

Bilal: it is getting complex man?

Me: Here you go, look at the pic shared in FB…

Bilal: That’s excellent. You seems to have gained....................

Me: Hold on, hold on, we have multi tier system architecture.

Bilal:Oh ho, What was that?

Me: Multi tier system architecture is mostly web based where in web server is connected to three tier architecture and all the application machines will connect web server via internet. 

 

 

Bilal: are they prone to security threat as we are connecting the server via internet?

Me: But, Security threat can be overcome by robust firewall settings. Also, main advantage of this structure is it is less expensive.

Bilal: That’s too informative. See you later. All the Best da.

Me: hmmm, Bye da. Be in Touch