A computer network is a set of computers sharing resources located on or provided by network nodes. Exhibit A correctly illustrates the fundamental client-server network architecture. In this model, a central, powerful computer (the server) provides information and services to multiple less powerful client computers. This is a basic and widely used structure for organizing computer networks, enabling centralized data storage, management, and resource sharing among connected devices. The other diagrams represent different concepts within information technology.

B. Exhibit B: This diagram depicts a hierarchical structure, such as an organizational chart or a file system directory, not a network of communicating devices.

C. Exhibit C: This is a flowchart, which is used to represent a workflow, process, or algorithm with steps and decision points, not a computer network layout.

D. Exhibit D: This illustrates a relational database schema or an Entity-Relationship Diagram (ERD), showing tables and the relationships between them, not a network structure.

1. Kurose

J. F.

& Ross

K. W. (2017). Computer Networking: A Top-Down Approach (7th ed.). Pearson. In Chapter 2

"Application Layer

" Section 2.1

"Principles of Network Applications

" the client-server architecture is detailed as a primary network model where a central server services requests from multiple clients. Exhibit A is a standard representation of this model.

2. Saltzer

J. H.

& Kaashoek

M. F. (2009). Principles of Computer System Design: An Introduction. Morgan Kaufmann. Chapter 9

"Networking

" Section 9.2.1

"The Client-Server Model" (p. 394)

describes this structure as a common organization for network services.

3. Silberschatz

A.

Korth

H. F.

& Sudarshan

S. (2019). Database System Concepts (7th ed.). McGraw-Hill. Chapter 6

"Database Design and the E-R Model

" explains the use of entity-relationship diagrams

similar to Exhibit D

for modeling the logical structure of databases.

4. Gaddis

T. (2018). Starting Out with Programming Logic and Design (5th ed.). Pearson. Chapter 2

"Input

Processing

and Output

" introduces flowcharts (as seen in Exhibit C) as a tool for programmers to design the logical flow of a program.