Network server functionality (?)

I am reading the objectives for SCDJ from the suned page and at some point the features that the programming assignment requires are mentioned. Well, it makes perfect sense to me that what is required is a GUI, extensions to the db, communications between the GUI and the db and data conversion of the provided data to some required format. What is not clear to me is the following point:
"Network server functionality for the database systems"
?? What is this? Can anyone explain?
Thanks a lot,
Panagiotis.

Your solution will need to work as a single user programme and also as a networked application. You are allowed to chose between: serialization, RMI or a combination of both. You will get a question asking you to justify your choice.