The Model Context Protocol (MCP) represents a fundamental shift in how AI applications connect to external systems. Introduced by Anthropic in November 2024, MCP chose a client-server architecture over alternatives like peer-to-peer or monolithic designs to solve the "M×N problem" - where M AI applications need to integrate with N data sources, traditionally requiring M×N custom integrations. The client-server model transforms this into an M+N solution through standardized, secure, and scalable connections.
This architectural decision reflects deep technical considerations: security isolation between components, modular extensibility for diverse integrations, and protocol standardization that enables any MCP client to work with any MCP server regardless of implementation language or platform. The design philosophy prioritizes developer simplicity while maintaining enterprise-grade security boundaries - what Anthropic calls "