A message queuing computer, such as an MSMQ message queuing computer, acts as an intermediary between the programs that want to exchange information. It functions as a server, controlling the flow of information in and out of a set of queues. Queues reside on the message queuing computer and you can associate multiple queues with one message queuing computer.

The programs that want to communicate with one another (whether they are the suppliers of information or the consumers of information) are the clients of message queuing. Because these programs do not interact directly, they are considered peers of one another. Under this architecture, one program is not subordinate to, or a client of, the other.