The Willowbrook School staff accepted your interface, output, input, and data designs, and your recommendation to install a server and three personal computers as clients on a local area network. Two of these personal computers will be new units, the third will be an existing machine purchased very recently. The network will include a backup unit. An existing laser printer will be accessible by any of the three PCs. Microsoft Access will be used to develop the billing system. Now you will determine system architecture for the Willowbrook School.
Assignments
1. Should the Willowbrook School system be based on file-server or client/server architecture? Prepare a checklist that includes the main topics and issues that should be considered when making this decision.
2. Speak to the cost-benefit issues of file server and client/server designs. How much of an impact do you think they would have on a system of this size?
3. What are your recommendations for backup and disaster recovery for the new system? Provide Willowbrook with two scenarios for backup and disaster recovery, and present the strengths and weaknesses of both. Which is your preferred scenario?
4. Prepare an outline for a system design specification and describe the contents of each section.