Abstract: This paper first introduces the current status of embedded system development, then analyzes B/S and C/S architectures in depth, comparing their respective advantages and disadvantages. Finally, based on this, a smart terminal integrating B/S and C/S architectures is established on an embedded platform. Keywords: Embedded system, B/S architecture, C/S architecture, smart client. With the rapid development of networks, the application of B/S architecture management systems based on network applications has been rapidly promoted. However, due to the limitations of current network capabilities and end-user operation skills, B/S architecture systems need further improvement, integrating the advantages of other network architectures to form a new model, and requiring more suitable data terminal equipment for support. Currently, computer data terminals generally suffer from excessive functions, high maintenance requirements, and high prices for end-users. There is a need to develop a device that can meet the needs of terminal data recording, simple processing, and transmission, with clearly defined functions, easy operation, and low cost. To address these issues, this paper proposes developing a smart terminal integrating the advantages of both B/S and C/S architectures using embedded devices as a platform. 1. Terminal Equipment – ​​Embedded Systems 1.1 Definition of Embedded Systems Embedded systems are products that combine advanced computer technology, semiconductor technology, electronic technology, and specific applications across various industries. This inherent characteristic dictates that they must be technology-intensive, capital-intensive, highly decentralized, and continuously innovative knowledge integration systems. Typical embedded applications have ROM and RAM capacities ranging from 0 to 32MB, with simplified peripherals, and operate in harsh environments such as outdoor and field conditions. The foundation of the embedded systems industry lies in application-centric chip design and application-oriented software product development. 1.2 Characteristics of Embedded Systems: ① The power consumption, size, cost, reliability, speed, processing power, and electromagnetic compatibility of embedded processors are all constrained by application requirements, which are also hot topics of competition among semiconductor manufacturers. ② Embedded processors require tailoring and adding chip configurations to meet specific user needs to achieve ideal performance; however, they are also constrained by user order volumes. Therefore, different processors may target general users, industry users, or single users. ③ Embedded systems generally require high reliability, needing to continue operating normally in harsh environments or under sudden power outages. Many embedded applications also require real-time functionality, necessitating real-time processing capabilities from the operating system. ④ The upgrades and replacements of embedded systems are carried out simultaneously with specific products, thus embedded system products have a long life cycle once they enter the market. 1.3 Embedded Operating Systems Currently, the main embedded operating systems include commercial Palm OS, Windows CE, EPOC, VxWorks, QNX, ECOS, LYNX, etc., as well as the emerging open-source embedded Linux operating system. These operating systems all have good support for embedded hardware devices, and also have very mature technical support for advanced functions of embedded systems, such as graphical interfaces and network communication. With the support of the above operating systems, when developing the network communication function of the terminal, developers only need to perform the same programming for network applications as on a PC, such as using socket interfaces, etc., without having to worry about the workings of the first and second layers of network communication, as these two layers are assisted by the operating system. Embedded systems have many advantages, and combined with operating systems such as Linux or WINCE, they can completely replace ordinary PCs as terminals. Therefore, this paper chooses embedded systems as the host device of intelligent terminals. 2. Network Architecture - Intelligent Terminals In the development and construction of information systems, the network structures commonly used by developers are C/S structure and B/S structure. B/S and C/S architectures are products of different stages of IT technology development. The C/S model has been around for over a decade, and its development tools are very mature. The B/S model, however, has only been around for a few years. While it has great development potential, it currently cannot meet all application needs and has some inherent drawbacks. For example, the benefits of the B/S architecture for system administrators far outweigh those for operators. Below is a brief introduction to these two architectures. 2.1 B/S Architecture The B/S architecture, as shown in Figure 1, is logically divided into three layers: the client layer, the application service layer, and the data service layer. The client layer is mainly responsible for data storage and management. The B/S model simplifies the work of the client machine; users only need a web browser to connect to a remote server via the internet to receive services. Since the data is analyzed and processed on the application server, the client only plays a role in displaying the structure, resulting in a small amount of data transmission and low network requirements. The B/S architecture enhances system scalability, facilitates updates, and is easy to manage and maintain. Figure 1. B/S Architecture 2.2 Two-Tier C/S Architecture The two-tier C/S architecture is shown in Figure 2. In this architecture, the server typically refers to a database server, while the client typically refers to a PC. The server and client are connected via a local area network (LAN). The client runs application software that processes business logic, and this software also handles the graphical user interface (GUI). When the client needs to retrieve or update data, it sends a request to the server over the network. This request is typically an SQL statement or a call to a stored procedure in the database. After accepting the client's request, the server performs database operations and returns the results to the client over the network. The client then displays the results on the GUI. 2.3 Comparison of B/S and C/S Figure 2 shows a two-tier C/S architecture. From a performance perspective, both B/S and C/S have their advantages and are currently very important computing architectures. B/S is advantageous because it is suitable for the Internet and requires less maintenance; while C/S is advantageous because of its fast operation speed, high data security, and convenient human-computer interaction. Because each has its strengths, they cannot replace each other. For example, B/S technology has a significant advantage for applications that are primarily browsing and involve simple data entry, as evidenced by the widespread presence of websites globally. However, for complex enterprise applications such as ERP systems, B/S is less suitable. Globally, most mature ERP products adopt a two-tier or three-tier C/S architecture, while B/S ERP products are relatively rare. These two structures each have their own characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages, and cannot be simply substituted for one another. Ideally, a technology should be found that effectively combines the two, fully leveraging their respective strengths. This approach is the intelligent client model, which will be introduced below. 2.4 Intelligent Client: Intelligent client technology is entirely based on a web-based application system. It belongs neither to C/S nor B/S, but rather combines the advantages of both. Compared to B/S or C/S, intelligent client technology has very obvious advantages. These can be summarized in three points: Full utilization and enjoyment of local resources; Offline connectivity; Intelligent deployment and automatic updates; Within the enterprise or Internet scope, intelligent client applications can easily connect to and exchange data with the system. Web services enable smart client solutions to exchange information with any type of remote system using industry standard protocols (e.g., XML, HTTP, and SOAP). More importantly, smart client applications can work normally regardless of whether they are connected to the Internet: when connected to the Internet, they can be used as ordinary terminals; when disconnected from the Internet, smart clients can operate independently using local databases and applications, and save data so that it can be automatically uploaded and updated when connected to the Internet. This eliminates the impact of network problems on the normal operation of the terminal to a certain extent, making the terminal more convenient to use [4]. 3. Smart Terminal Based on Embedded System The smart terminal based on the embedded platform proposed in this paper combines the advantages of B/S architecture and C/S architecture in terms of network, fully reflects the advantages of smart client technology, and minimizes the terminal's dependence on the network as much as possible; in terms of hardware construction, it reflects the characteristics and advantages of embedded systems. In summary, this smart terminal has low cost, good reliability, dedicated function, strong anti-interference, good scalability, strong software portability, and can be used online and offline in combination, making it more flexible and convenient. When designing terminal applications, there are two general approaches to the architecture of data processing: the data-centric approach and the service-oriented approach (as shown in Figure 3). Figure 3 Service-oriented approach (left) and data-centric approach (right) Applications using the data-centric approach have a relational database management system (RDBMS) installed locally on the client and use the built-in functions of the database system to send local data changes back to the server, handle the synchronization process, and detect and resolve any data conflicts. Applications using the service-oriented approach store information in messages and queue these messages when the client is offline. After the connection is re-established, the queued messages are sent to the server for processing [5]. Since this paper is to build an intelligent terminal that combines offline and online, the service-oriented approach is adopted. When the network is not good, the offline mode is adopted. The terminal is used as an independent data acquisition processor. The database and application are stored in the local storage medium. That is, it can perform the same business functions as when connected to the Internet. The difference is that the data is stored in the local database and the transaction data and other effective information during the offline period are saved in a specific file, waiting for the data to be automatically uploaded when online. When connected to the internet, this smart terminal functions as a browser, browsing network services provided by a remote server and performing corresponding input/output and data processing operations. At this time, the database resides on the remote server in the background, and all transaction data is transmitted to the database and corresponding files on the backend server in real time. Simultaneously, data files stored locally offline are automatically transmitted to the designated receiving cache area in the backend, and after simple processing by the backend server, are added to the database or corresponding files. These measures create an intermittent online working mode, minimizing the impact of the network on the terminal. 4. Conclusion Through comparative analysis, this paper elucidates the advantages of a smart client that integrates embedded technology and combines the advantages of both B/S and C/S architectures. Combined with a service-oriented data processing architecture, a smart terminal based on an embedded platform was constructed. This terminal overcomes the extreme dependence of traditional terminals on the network and integrates advanced embedded technology, making it functionally focused, compact, easy to operate, and inexpensive. While maintaining performance, it improves practicality and reduces costs.