Networking and Connecting to the Internet Practice Test 2026 - Free Internet Networking Practice Questions and Study Guide

A computer that requests resources from another computer on a network is known as a client. In a client-server architecture, the client is responsible for initiating requests for services or resources, while the server provides those resources, such as files, applications, or services.

Clients can be devices like personal computers, smartphones, or tablets that rely on servers to fulfill their requests. This model allows for centralized resource management where the server handles multiple requests from various clients, ensuring that users can access the data or services they need efficiently.

In contrast, a server is a computer designed to provide resources or services to clients. A router directs data packets between networks, while a switch connects devices on the same local network, helping to manage traffic but not involving the client-server relationship directly. Understanding the roles of these components is essential for grasping how networks function and how computers interact with each other.