Network software is usually divided into what two categories?

Network software is typically categorized into client and server components because this division reflects how devices interact over a network. The client refers to the software or device that requests services or resources, while the server is the system that provides these services or resources to the client.

This client-server model forms the foundation of most network operations, enabling functions like web browsing, email, and file sharing. In this model, the client initiates communication and is often used to access resources on the server, which processes requests and delivers the appropriate responses back to the client.

The other categories, while relevant in various contexts (application and system software pertains more to broader classifications of software rather than specifically about network interactions, router and switch define hardware components within the network infrastructure, and file and database are concerned with data management), do not encapsulate the fundamental interaction framework of network software as clearly as the client-server distinction does.