12 – Conclusions and Prospects

Publisher Summary This chapter provides a general conclusion of the server and server-related architecture and also highlights possible evolutionary paths. Moreover, the chapter discusses server-relevant technologies and their utilization in future system architectures. The four-tier architecture offers significant advantages that include: good security and easy scalability of data, simple Internet integration, ability to be interconnected with other database servers, and hardware configuration flexibility. Other than analyzing system architecture, this chapter further reviews possible evolutionary developments in microprocessors, multiprocessors, clusters, MPPs, and high-availability systems. Since the servers are continually emerging, it becomes important to acknowledge technological advances timely.