A host-based architecture is a centralized computing model where a server or mainframe computer (the "host") performs virtually all processing tasks. This includes the application logic, data processing, and data storage. Client devices, which are often "dumb terminals" or thin clients, serve primarily as interfaces for input and output, offloading all significant computational work to the central host. This architecture centralizes control, security, and management but concentrates the processing load on a single system.

A. This describes a peer-to-peer or a two-tier client-server architecture where processing is distributed, not a centralized host-based model.

B. This describes a client-based or "fat-client" architecture, which is the functional opposite of a host-based system.

C. This describes a peer-to-peer (P2P) architecture, where clients (peers) share workloads among themselves rather than relying on a central server.

1. Fitzgerald

J.

Dennis

A.

& Durcikova

A. (2017). Business Data Communications and Networking (13th ed.). Wiley. In Chapter 2

"Application Architecture

" Section 2-2

"Host-Based Architectures

" it is explicitly stated: "With a host-based architecture

the server (or host computer) performs virtually all of the work."

2. Palo Alto Networks. (2020). Cybersecurity Foundation Course Student Guide. Palo Alto Networks Cybersecurity Academy. Module 3

"Driving Cybersecurity

" discusses different network architectures

defining the host-based (mainframe) model as one where a central computer performs all processing for connected terminals.

3. Forouzan

B. A. (2013). Data Communications and Networking (5th ed.). McGraw-Hill. Chapter 2

"Network Models

" describes the evolution from terminal-to-mainframe connections (a host-based architecture) where the mainframe handled all processing tasks.