A client is a front-end application that uses the services provided by a server. The computer that hosts the application is referred to as the client computer. Client software enables computers to connect to an instance of Microsoft SQL Server on a network.
SQL Server clients can include applications of various types, such as:
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OLE DB consumers.
These applications use the Microsoft OLE DB Provider for SQL Server or the Microsoft OLE DB Provider for ODBC to connect to and converse with instances of SQL Server. The OLE DB providers serve as intermediaries between an instance of SQL Server and client applications that consume SQL Server data as OLE DB rowsets.
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ODBC applications.
These include client utilities installed with SQL Server, such as SQL Server Enterprise Manager and SQL Query Analyzer, as well as other applications that use the SQL Server ODBC driver to connect to and converse with an instance of SQL Server.
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DB-Library clients, including the SQL Server isql command prompt utility and clients written to DB-Library.
Regardless of the type of application, managing a client consists mainly of configuring its connection with the server components of SQL Server. Depending on the requirements of your site, client management can range from little more than entering the name of the server computer to building a library of custom configuration entries to accommodate a diverse multiserver environment.