In a client-server configuration, which type of workstation functions independently of the server and only occasionally needs to connect to the central server?

In a client-server configuration, which type of workstation functions independently of the server and only occasionally needs to connect to the central server?

• A. Thin Client
• B. Workstation
• C. Thick Client
• D. Zero Client

Answer: (C)

In client-server setups, how much work happens on the local machine versus the server determines how independent the workstation is. A thick client handles most processing locally, has its own storage for data and applications, and can operate offline or with limited server access. It only needs to connect to the central server periodically—to fetch updates, authenticate, or sync data—while still functioning on its own when the server isn’t available. That makes it the best fit for the described scenario, where the workstation can work independently and only occasionally needs to touch the server. A thin client, by contrast, relies mainly on the server for processing and data, and a zero client has extremely minimal local capability and depends almost entirely on the server. A generic workstation term isn’t as specific as thick client in this context.

In client-server setups, how much work happens on the local machine versus the server determines how independent the workstation is. A thick client handles most processing locally, has its own storage for data and applications, and can operate offline or with limited server access. It only needs to connect to the central server periodically—to fetch updates, authenticate, or sync data—while still functioning on its own when the server isn’t available.

That makes it the best fit for the described scenario, where the workstation can work independently and only occasionally needs to touch the server. A thin client, by contrast, relies mainly on the server for processing and data, and a zero client has extremely minimal local capability and depends almost entirely on the server. A generic workstation term isn’t as specific as thick client in this context.