Architecture Overview
The Model Context Protocol implements a distributed architecture that enables seamless communication between AI applications and various data sources.
Key Players
- Applications & Tools (hosts) - AI-powered software like Claude Desktop, Cursor, Windsurt, and other tools connect to MCP servers as host applications
- Protocol Layer - The MCP client library manages connections and handles the communication protocol
- Server Network - Multiple lightweight MCP servers work together to provide different capabilities
- Data Integration - Servers can tap into:
- Local resources (filesystems, databases)
- Network services
- Third-party APIs
Benefits of This Design
The distributed nature of MCP offers several advantages:
- Flexibility: Add new capabilities by deploying additional servers
- Security: Granular control over data access
- Scalability: Connect to multiple servers as needed
- Standardization: Consistent protocol across all components
- Integration: Easy to connect with existing systems and services
This architecture makes MCP highly adaptable while maintaining robust security and communication standards. Each server can specialize in specific tasks while working together as part of a larger system.