Technologies Required for an E-commerce System Meets the following criteria: P1

Assessment Criterion P1 P1 - The assessment criterion P1 could be evidenced by the use of a report, leaflet or presentation delivered by the learner that could be supported by tutor observation and/ or recorded evidence. The learner is required to describe the technologies required for an e- commerce system, as outlined in the teaching content.

Technologies of an E-commerce System Traditional ways of conducting business, such as shopping in the high street have been revolutionised through rapidly developing technologies. Especially with the emergence of the internet and credit/debit cards. E-commerce is a combination of web hardware and software that increases the functionality of a business and improves its effectiveness.

Web Servers The web server is made up of the usual computer components and depending on the capacity required will have one or more hard drives. Web server can also be known as HTTP server or application server software. In order to be consider a web server, it is important that the application must implement the HTTP protocol as the content of an e-commerce site is displayed in the form of HTML documents, images and other web resources A web server holds the live version of the website/page which can be seen by anyone who has access to the internet It works when a user agent such as a web browser initiates communication with the server to make a request for specific information using HTTP. The server responds to the request by sending the requested information or an error message if it is unable to respond to the request. A web server is the main hardware used for companies that manage their own hosting. This allows the companies to change anything without the need to constantly upload any changes to the server. It allows the website/page to remain live most of the time. Long term it is much more beneficial to host your own website.

Two Main Types of Server The Internet Information Services (IIS) is a server that is designed to work within a Microsoft environment. It is free with Microsoft Windows and can be programmed using several languages such as Ruby on Rails, APS and Python. Web activity is managed in modules which cover all activity on the site such as Security, Content, Compression, Caching, etc. The Apache server is an open source server that has been developed by a community of programmers often referred to as the Apache group. It is the most accepted and used web server for several reasons. Firstly, it free software, secondly, because it is open source the code can be adapted for specific needs and thirdly, it has all the functionality of IIS but also has additional add-ons from a large public library.

Helpful Links http://computer.howstuffworks.com/web- server.htm http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-a-web-server.htm http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/W/Web_server .html http://whatismyipaddress.com/web-server http://www.w3.org/Servers.html (This is a link to a list of existing types of web server and software. The list is not comprehensive but gives an overview of the many types used)

Modem A modem connects the computer to the outside world, it is that simple Broadband, Dialup and even Wi-Fi are all modems of a kind that connect the computer to the outside world. They are provided by ISP’s when a user joins but can be purchased. They communicate in the language sent by the user to the ISP and provide an open line of communication once the user has been verified. Like all hardware there is a speed difference and this is linked to the power of the box and true capacity to receive by the provider.

Server Software There are two main protocols used in setting up a web server. The first is CuteFTP. This allows the live version of websites and all components to be uploaded to the server. The second is FTP. This works in allowing the transfer of information from server to browser when a request is received. One of the most important things server software does is allow the ability to share resources. The Network Operating System (NOS) allows the system administrators to decide what part of the server file system can be shared with others. Security is also important especially with unauthorised access. Most computer networks are connected to the internet and hacking has become the security issue most organisations are struggling against. Using user accounts with passwords are one of the most popular was of trying to protect the system from hackers. Most NOS allow you to establish password policies easily as well as setting a minimum length for passwords and mixture of characters, letters, etc. NOS also allows data encryption which basically scrambles the data prior to it being sent. It is all about making sure people are who they say they are and files are what they claim to be.

What Does Server Software Do? The software contain a series of utilities and services specifically designed at managing the servicing of the webpage content to remote clients. This may include: Organisation of multiple webpages Logging requests Logging fault errors Filtering requests based on clients IP addresses Interfacing with server-side scripting language to provide automation and user interaction

Helpful Links http://zenofnptech.org/2011/04/open-source- vs-proprietary-web-server-software.html http://www.answers.com/topic/web-server http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/linux-web- server-software-apache-alternatives/

Browsers A browser is a specialist software application that is required in order to access the content of internet sites. Browsers provide a visual representation of HTML and other web languages. HTML is the generic language in which all web pages are written and understood by all browsers Web pages are linked together using hyperlinks which can be presented as images, buttons or menus It works by requesting pages (and connected images, videos, etc.) from a web server, downloads the pages and then renders them onto your computer screen. Once downloaded the browser then facilitates the user interacting with the content on the web pages.

Browsers Choosing a browser comes down more to user preference rather than they differ as they all do the same thing. There are many options within a browser that increases connectivity

Useful Links http://www.html5rocks.com/en/tutorials/inter nals/howbrowserswork/ http://www.vineetgupta.com/2010/11/how- browsers-work-part-1-architecture/ http://www.webdevelopersnotes.com/basics/ho w_do_web_browser_work.php

Web Authoring Tools Web authoring tools make it possible for people to create web pages This is because they make the process more simplified and less technical The development of web authoring tools means that creating and uploading web sites/pages onto the Internet is no longer possible solely by IT experts All web authoring tools provide the same basic facilities to create a web page and upload it to a web server Examples of web authoring tools include Adobe Dreamweaver Microsoft Frontpage Generally common features include WYSIWYG interfaces Additional features include the ability to create and use templates and the ability to create CCS (cascading style sheets)

Useful Links http://www.w3.org/WAI/impl/software http://www.teach- ict.com/as_a2_ict_new/ocr/AS_G061/313_standar d_applications/types_software/miniweb/pg6.htm# http://smallbusiness.chron.com/advantages- disadvantages-using-webauthoring-application- 27288.html http://www.edb.utexas.edu/minliu/multimedia/Co mpare%20Web%20Authoring%20Tools.pdf

TCP/IP TCP/IP means Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. These are very important protocols because they standardise the way information is transmitted across a network. If computers do not use the same protocols then it become impossible for them to understand the data being transmitted between them or even for that data to reach the right address. When sending or requesting data such as a website TCP/IP primarily works in the following way Once the Request is received TCP breaks down the requested information into packages. It then labels them with numbers Once complete, IP takes over and stamps each package with the Sender IP information and the Destination IP address. It also add the date and time the package is sent. Once received at the destination address IP checks the sender address and destination address. If correct, TCP counts the number of packages received according to the data stamped on them. If all received then TCP reconstructs the packages in the correct order they were broken down in. Once finished, the browser renders the code so that the webpage/site is displayed in a format that the user understands

Useful Links http://technet.microsoft.com/en- us/library/cc786128(v=ws.10).aspx http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/433 http://www.thegeekstuff.com/2011/11/tcp-ip- fundamentals/

Domain Names Every computer is identified through a unique IP address. However, these can be very hard to remember. For example, the IP address 64.233.183.103 is www.google.com Domain names consist of a core part such as google and an extension such as .com The main thing about a domain name is the following: It has to be unique It should be memorable It must be registered with a domain authority The domain name is the first part of an e-commerce business that you want users to remember so it is important to choose it wisely

Types of domain name Different types of domain exist. Such as: .co.uk (co stands for country and this domain type is country specific) .org (stands for organisation and is traditionally associated with non-profit organisations) .com (stands for commercial and are generally used by businesses globally) .net (stands for network and was originally used primarily by internet service providers) .biz (created for small business websites but not as widely recognised as a .com or .net) .info (stands for informational as has seen rapid growth recently. Used for FAQs and information by organisations) .mobi (stands for mobile and is growing as rapidly as the technology and popularity of smart phones)

Useful Links http://netforbeginners.about.com/od/d/f/doma in_name.htm http://getdotted.com/what-is-a-domain- name.php http://whatismyipaddress.com/domain-name

Multiple Registration of Domain Names As we live in a widening global world registering one domain name is not enough for most e-commerce businesses which leads to a need of multiple registration of domain names. Companies do this to reflect adapted content specific to a country and contextualised content such as cultural and language specific. For example: www.amazon.com (United States) www.amazon.fr (France) www.amazon.co.uk (UK) www.amazon.de (germany) However, multiple registration of domain names is not just about making sure the context links to a specific country As we type into the search engine we can make mistakes and so that the companies can still via for your business it is common practice to register multiple domain names that are spelt wrong. For example, www.ford.com could also be registered as: www.foed.com www.fprd.com www.gord.com As this allows for users to find the information they want even if simple mistakes are made when hitting the keyboard keys

Useful Links http://www.discountdomainsuk.com/domain- names/multiple-domain-names-223.html http://www.doteasy.com/web-hosting- articles/why-register-multiple-domain- extensions-for-your-website.cfm http://www.wikihow.com/Decide-Whether-to- Have-Multiple-Domain-Names

Browser and Platform Compatibility Firm standards have been set by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) about building websites However, care is still needed as many browsers interpret and render HTML and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) differently Microsoft Internet Explorer is the most popular browser used but any newly created webpage should be tested on a range of different browsers to check compatibility Testing should also take place on different platforms as well to make sure information on the website is accessible and the website functions as planned, especially considering many users now shop online using mobile phones, tablets, etc. all of which have different screen sizes and resolutions.

Useful links http://vandelaydesign.com/blog/design/effectively- testing-your-website-in-multiple-browsers/ http://abodeqa.wordpress.com/2012/11/09/browse r-compatibility-testing-when-where-and-how-it-is- done/ http://webdesign.about.com/od/testing/Testing_Y our_Web_Pages.htm http://cct.brookes.ac.uk/staff/resources/rachelharri son/ICSEA-MobiTest-final-1.pdf

Task Create a leaflet to discuss the technologies used in e-commerce. It is important that you discuss what each technology is, why it is technologically important in e-commerce and how it works.