Internet client-server computing

There are some RPC servers running on Internet hosts which accept client requests to perform chemical computation services. This access path is typically much faster than offering similar services for example via the WWW, but locally installed software which speaks the RPC protocol of the application is necessary. An example of client-server computing for chemical applications using RPC is shown in Figure 1. Here a molecule editor (part of the CACTVS package ) acts as a client to a 3D-coordinate generation server if the output structure file is a 3D format. 

Entrez searches can be performed using one of two Internet-based interfaces. The first is a client-server implementation known as NetEntrez. This makes a direct connection to an NCBI computer. Because the client software resides on the user s machine, it is up to the user to obtain, install and maintain the software, downloading periodic updates as new features are introduced. The second implementation is over the World Wide Web and is known as WWW Entrez or WebEntrez (simply referred to as Entrez). This option makes use of available Web browsers (e.g., Netscape or Explorer) to deliver search results to the desktop. The Web allows the user to navigate by clicking on selected words in an entry. Furthermore, the Web implementation allows for the ability to link to external data sources. While the Web version is formatted as sequential pages, the Network version uses a series of windows with faster speed. The NCBI databases are, by far the most often accessed by biochemists and some of their searchable fields include plain text, author name, journal title, accession number, identity name (e.g., gene name, protein name, chemical substance name), EC number, sequence database keyword and medical subject heading. 

Due to the various reasons such as little knowledge about MOP, computer environment, etc., it is not necessarily easy for everyone to engage in MOP. To deal with such circumstances, we implemented MOON on the Internet as a client-server architecture that enables us to carry out MOP readily and effectively. 

File Transfer Protocol. A protocol used to move files over the Internet. Typically, you use a command line command, browser capability, or program on your computer called an FTP client to connect to an FTP server found on the Internet. Once connected to the FTP server, you can move files back and forth between your computer and the FTP server. SFTP, Secure FTP, is a more secure protocol for moving data over the Internet in which both your login information and data are encrypted during communications. 

One other significant benefit of this technology worth mentioning is its ability to provide Web access to key applications. The Citrix MetaFrame product is a thin-client software product that extends the capabilities of server-based computing. It creates a client in the form of a Microsoft Active X control, allowing its nsers to run their Windows applications from within a standard web browser like Internet Explorer or Netscape. 

Windows Internet Name Service (WINS) WINS provides a database for the storage and retrieval of NetBIOS computer names. Each client must register with the WINS server to be able to be added to and query the database. 

The earliest computer network communications application, e-mail, is sfiU the largest and most successful network application. One accesses e-mail services through an e-mail client. The client can be a stand-alone program, such as Outlook Express or Eudora, or it can be browser based, using Internet Explorer or Foxfire. The e-mail server can be a proprietary system such as Lotus Notes or one of the... 

Cloud Computing means that information is permanently stored in servers on the Internet and cached temporarily on clients that include desktops, notebooks, entertainment centers, tablet computers, wall computers, handhelds, sensors, monitors etc (Wikipedia, 2009). For example, Google Apps provides common business applications online that are accessed from a web browser while the software and data are stored on the servers. This is a rather controversial and disturbing concept for privacy and surveillance concerns. 

NIST operates an Internet time service using multiple servers distributed around the United States. A list of IP addresses for the NIST servers and sample client software can be obtained from the NIST Time and Frequency Division web site http //www.boulder.nisLgov/timefreq. The uncertainty of Internet time signals is usually <100 msec, but results vary with different computers, operating systems, and client software. 

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