What is one of the primary functions of clients in a server-based network?

In a server-based network, clients play a crucial role in initiating requests to the server. Clients are typically end-user devices such as computers, tablets, or smartphones that connect to the network to access shared resources, applications, or services provided by the server. When a user wants to perform an action like retrieving a file, accessing a web page, or sending an email, the client sends a request to the server which processes the request and responds accordingly.

This client-server model is foundational in networking, as it separates the roles of various devices, allowing servers to manage resources and handle requests from multiple clients efficiently. While clients may also handle some processing and perform tasks locally, their primary function in this context is to engage with the server by sending requests. This interaction illustrates the dependence of clients on servers for functionality, enabling centralized management and enhanced resource sharing across the network.