middle-tier server

Resides between the client and the file system or database. A middle-tier server receives and processes requests from clients. This often eliminates the need for client programs to deal with the complexity of databases and other complex back-end systems. A middle-tier server can support a variety of clients, such as Web browsers, Java applications, and hand-held devices. The clients handle the user interface and do not query databases or file systems directly; the middle-tier server handles the requests.

See also XTier.