What Is 3-Tier(Multi-Tier) Architecture And Why Do You Need It?

Three-tier or multi-tier architecture are often used when describing how clients connect to servers. But what does it all mean and do you need to make any changes to your existing infrastructure? Let me try to explain this in non-technical terms (or as close to it I can get).

1-Tier Architecture We all know software packages like MS Access, MS Excel, QuickBooks and Peachtree just to name a few. They all have the same in common that they access files directly. This means that the file you want to work with must be accessible from a local or shared drive. This is the simplest of all the architectures but also the least secure. Since users have direct access to the files, they could accidentally move, modify or even worse delete the file by accident or on purpose. There is also usually an issue when multiple users access the same file at the same time: In many cases only one can edit the file while others only have read-only access. So 1-tier architecture is simple and cheap, but usually unsecured and data can easily be lost if you are not careful.

2-Tier Architecture This architecture is also called Client-Server architecture because of the two components: The client that runs the application and the server that handles the database back-end. When the client starts it establishes a connection to the server and communicates as needed with the server while running the client. The client computer usually cant see the database directly and can only access the data by starting the client. This means that the data on the server is much more secure. Now users are unable to change or delete data unless they have specific user rights to do so. The client-server solution also allows multiple users to access the database at the same time as long as they are accessing data in different parts of the database. One other huge benefit is that the server is processing data that allows the client to work on the presentation and business logic only. This mean that the client and the server is sharing the workload and by scaling the server to be more powerful than the client, you are usually able to load many clients to the server allowing more users to work on the system at the same time.

3-Tier Architecture

This involves one more layer called the business logic tier, service tier or middle tier (layer). In the client-server solution the client was handling the business logic that makes the client thick. A thick client means that it requires heavy traffic with the server, thus making it difficult to use over slower network connections like Internet and Wireless (3G, Edge or Wi-Fi). By introducing the middle layer, the client is only handling presentation logic. This means that only little communication is needed between the client and the middle tier making the client thin or thinner. An example of a thin client is an Internet browser that allows you to see and provide information fast and almost with no delay. As more users access the system a three-tier solution is more scalable than the other solutions because you can add as many middle tiers (running on each own server) as needed to ensure good performance (N-tier or multiple-tier). Security is also the best in the three-tier architecture because the middle layer protects the database tier. There is one major drawback to the N-tier architecture and that is that the additional tiers increase the complexity and cost of the installation. Take a look at the differences among these three. 1-Tier Benefits Very simpleInexpensive No server needed 2-Tier Good securityMore scalable Faster execution Thin client Very scalable Issues Poor securityMulti user issues More costlyMore complex Thick client Users Usually 1 (or a few) 2-100 50-2000 (+) Very costlyVery complex Multi-Tier Exceptional securityFastest execution

Core Banking system or CBS is one of the recent developments in the field of banking, and has

proved to be very useful. It is a facility provided by banks in which a person, having an account in one branch, can operate his account, in another branch. This has become possible, because each account holder is given a specialised, computerised and unique account number. In simple terms, CBS is a type of banking, in which a person, who opens a bank account in a particular branch of a bank, will be a customer of the bank, rather than being a customer of a particular branch. Therefore, he can transact anywhere, at any time. The prime features of the CBS are that it facilitates banking operations like ATM's, Electronic fund, Transfers, Telebanking, Internet banking etc. Moreover, introduction of new facilities and products wouldn't be a time-consuming process, and branch clearings would become instantaneous. The CBS is presently hosted on two Sun fire V6900R servers, clustered in an active passive mode. Both the servers and the two storage boxes are connected to both the switches for redundancy. Power for these servers is received from two additional similar capacity UPS, installed as standby. The application software is developed in COBOL and the version being used is version 10.0. M/s. Lasersoft Infosystems Ltd., Chennai, has developed this software. The banks have to implement a three tier architecture, for wide Area Network. The branches are connected to a Zonal centre, by 64KBPS, based line, from telephone corporations like BSNL. The district layers are in turn connected to the data centre, and disaster recovery centre, by 2 MBPS based lines. CBS has facilitated better operational efficiency by ensuring improved house keeping and preventing seepage of income. Inter branch reconciliation has become faster and accurate. Users can log in only from their authorised branches and data access is restricted to their levels. For recovery of disaster, two servers, installed in the primary site ensure high availability and achieve fault tolerance through hardware redundancies and protection against component failures. Many banks have covered 100% of their business of the bank under CBS, and intend to bring all their branches under WAN connectivity. The centralized database has enabled introduction of new products and services apart from bringing about work simplification at branches.Therefore, CBS has been effective, in bringing about a radical change in the field of banking, and we can also expect further developments in this field, because of this system.