Introduction To Web Technology

Introduction to Web Technology

H-Line Soft Information Technology

Purpose

The purpose of this presentation is to:

• Acquaint you with the terms and concepts necessary to determine how the Web can improve your business

• Demonstrate the capabilities of Web applications

“It’s time to take the red pill”

Web ConceptsHow the Web Works

Let’s start with you. the user• To use the web you must have a computer

or another “web-ready” device, ex: Palm Pilot or Web phones*.

*Often called Web Access Protocol (WAP) devices

Web ConceptsHow the Web Works

• Your computer must have

communications hardware

with installed drivers (software)– Modem card, ex: 56k Modem– Network* or NIC** card, ex: Linksys– Wireless Network card

* Most networks today communicate using Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)** Network Interface Card

Web ConceptsHow the Web Works

• Your computer must have Web service– Modem and Dialup Internet Service Provider

(ISP), ex: AOL – *Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), offered by phone company in non-rural areas– *Internet Satellite, offered by satellite TV– *Digital Cable, offered by cable TV – *Dedicated LAN, ex: large corp. networks or US govt.

*These faster services are called “Broadband”

Web ConceptsHow the Web Works

• Your computer must have Web browser software – AOL Online Software– Microsoft Internet Explorer – Netscape Navigator– Other web services require

mail programs (Outlook) or

File Transfer programs

(WS_FTP)

Web ConceptsHow the Web Works

• Your computer must be logged into the Web– Dialup has dialed, connected & user has logged in

OR– DSL/Satellite/Cable modem is on and connected

Quick Note on Networks Simple Dialup

There are many types of network setups

• 56k Modem plugged into phone line (1 computer)

• AOL is a dialup service

Computer

DialupModem

PhoneOutlet

Note: Uses regular(RJ11) phone cable

Quick Note on Networks Simple Cable/Satellite

• Cable/DSL/Satellite Modem plugged into cable/DSL/satellite outlet (1 computer)

• Charter and SBC/Yahoo are broadband Internet services

Computer

Cable/DSL/SatelliteModem

Cable/SatelliteOutlet

Note: Uses special Category 5 (Cat 5 RJ45)

Cable called patchcords

*Most network equipmenthas a speed of 100Mbit/s

Quick Note on Networks Cable/DSL/Satellite with Hub

• Cable/DSL/Satellite Modem plugged into cable/DSL/satellite outlet

• Requires 2 or more Internet Protocol (IP) connections (like 2 separate phone numbers)

Computer

Cable/DSLSatelliteModem

Cable/DSLSatelliteOutlet

Hub

Computer

Quick Note on Networks Cable/DSL/Satellite with Router/Switch

• Cable/DSL/Satellite Modem and Router/ Switch* plugged into cable/satellite outlet

• Requires only 1 Internet Protocol (IP) connection (shares a phone number-saves $$)

ComputerCable/DSL

SatelliteOutlet

Router/Switch

Computer*Switches are smarter and faster than hubs

Cable/DSLSatelliteModem

Quick Note on Networks Cable/Satellite with Wireless

Router/Switch • Cable/Satellite Modem and wireless

Router/Switch plugged into cable/satellite outlet

• Replaces switch-to-computer cables, requires wireless network cards*

ComputerCable/SatelliteModem

Cable/SatelliteOutlet

WirelessRouter/Switch

Computer

*Wireless is more convenient, but slower and less secure than Cable

Computer

Quick Note on Networks Cable/Satellite with Wireless and

Regular Router/Switch • Cable/Satellite Modem and two Router/

Switches plugged into cable/satellite outlet

Computer

Cable/SatelliteModem

Cable/SatelliteOutlet

WirelessRouter/Switch

Computer

ComputerRouter/Switch

Quick Note on Networks Firewalls

Firewalls are like the firewall in your car, which keep the heat and noise of the engine outside the passenger compartment

• Computer Firewalls are used to keep unwanted Internet users from accessing your network

• Once online, you are vulnerable w/o a firewall– BlackIce is an example of firewall software

Computer

Cable/SatelliteModem

Cable/SatelliteOutlet

Router/Switch

& Firewall

Firewall

Quick Note on Networks Firewalls

• Computer Firewalls work like Caller ID

• You set up the rules of who can “call” you

• Unrecognized callers are either denied, or asked for a password

NOTE: Some software, like PCAnywhere and SQL Server require the firewall to specially configured

Web ConceptsHow the Web Works

Back to the Logged in computerOnce your computer is logged in, it is assigned

an Internet Protocol (IP) address. • Most networks (and all dialups) issue IPs on a

per-login basis, these are called Dynamic IPs• Some networks issue these permanently,

these are called Fixed IPs• Your IP is a 16-digit number which is used to

identify your computer to the Internet, ex: 208.127.007.123

Web ConceptsHow the Web Works

• Every time you request information from the Internet, your IP is sent with the request, so the Internet knows where to send the information

• Every website has an IP address. The Universal Resource Listing (URL) like, www.yahoo.com is translated to its IP address automatically for you

NOTE: Remember the router/switches that only need one IP address? The router keeps track of the network users so they can share the IP address.

Web ConceptsHow the Web Works

Example:• You wants news so you types in:

http://www.msnbc.com/news/934483.asp?vts=072920030920Quick Note on four parts of the URL:• Protocol: http is Hypertext Transfer Protocol, you will also

see https used for secure transactions. If you leave this off, the default is http.

• Domain: www.msnbc.com identifies a specific webserver• File Information: /news/934483.asp identifies the specific

filename on the requested website.• Query string: ?vts=072920030920 Additional information

sent in the request, in this case the article number called vts.

Web ConceptsHow the Web Works

Simple Example:• You wants news so you type in:

http://www.msnbc.com/news/934483.asp?vts=072920030920

• MSN-BC receives the request, looks up the article and send it back to you.

http://www.msnbc.com/news/934483.asp?vts=072920030920

Web ConceptsHow the Web Works

Detailed Example (what really happens):• You (208.127.007.123) want news so you type in:

http://www.msnbc.com/news/934483.asp?vts=072920030920• MSN-BC’s IP address of 207.46.150.21 is translated by a

program called the Domain Name Server (DNS)• The request is sent to http://207.46.150.21/news/934483.asp • MSN-BC receives the request, accesses its database to look

up the article and sends the article (vts=072920030920) and several graphics* back to you (208.127.007.123)

• Your browser assembles the article and graphics according to the HyperText Markup Language (HTML) code to format and display the MSN-BC screen.

*Each webpage is comprised of numerous graphic files, that why we see (10 items remaining) on the status bar of a downloading page. It’s waiting for those pieces to complete the page.

Web ConceptsHow the Web Works

Detailed Example (Other Comments):• Technically the Internet is a large network. The Worldwide

Web (WWW) is an application that runs on the Internet. Whenever you type in “http://www.whatever.com” you are using the Worldwide Web. The Worldwide Web produces webpages (a combination of text and graphics).

• MSN-BC’s website has an IP address of 207.46.150.21. It uses the domain name of www.msnbc.com because it registered that domain name with Network Solutions or another authorized Domain Registry company. These companies maintain the databases used by the Domain Name Servers (DNS). Current annual fees are about $35.

Web ConceptsHow the Web Works

Detailed Example (GeeWhiz Stuff):• Network messages are split up and transmitted in small

sections called “packets”. TCP/IP is a “packet-switched network”.

• JavaScript, Java and Perl are languages uses to help HTML display webpages (scrolling display, animation, etc). More on this when we talk about Web Applications.

• Flash, Shockwave, Quicktime, WAV, mpeg, RealAudio, and MP3 are all types of files that can be displayed with a webpage. Special programs, called “plug-ins” allow your browser to display, play, or run these various files.

Web ConceptsHow the Web Works

Detailed Example (Security):• Webpages are secured by installing a special license and software,

called a Secure Socket Link (SSL) on the servicing website called a Web Host. This software encrypts communication between the user computer and website. Most credit card processing is transmitted using SSL. You’ll notice the protocol will be https:// or shttp:// and a “secure” or “locked” icon appears on your browser screen. Current annual fee is about $400.

• Hackers monitor web requests using special software, SSL protects financial & personal information by encrypting these messages—foiling the hackers.

https://www.bankofamerica.com

$$$

Transmission Speed

Transmission Speed is the amount of data that a line can transfer.

• A 28.8k modem transmits 28,800 bits per second (bps), a 56k modem transmits 56,000 bps (7 kbytes/s) – the maximum via normal phone lines

• An ISDN modem transmits 128k• Cable/Satellite/DSL transmit at least 384 kbps• A T1 line transmits 1.54Mbps (ISP speed)• A T3 line transmits 43 Mbps (Web host speeds)• Fiber Optics start with OC-3 which is 115 Mbps• OC-12 is 622 Mbps (Internet backbone speed)

Search Engines

All search engines do about the same things:• Search the Internet for websites using robots, which are

automated software programs that search for keyword and description META tags in the HTML code

• Allow users to search their database using keywords• Allow website administrators to suggest their sites to the

search database (no guarantees)• Allow website administrators to buy “premium placement” –

Extra money to get to the top of the list• Other companies, like Overture, also manage premium

placement or sponsored links for search engine sites.

Web Applications

• Web pages are like online Word documents. HTML is used to display pictures, format paragraphs, change colors, fonts, etc.. BUT Word can’t add numbers or animate graphics.

• Web Applications are like online spreadsheets and databases. They do something. Common scripting languages used to do this are Cold Fusion, Active Server Pages (ASP), and PHP.

• Web Applications interact with program variables, databases, spreadsheets, and user inputs to create dynamic web content.

Web Applications

• In fact, our first example was a web application

• When the MSN-BC server read the 934483.asp file, control moved to the ASP server and passed the variable VTS with a value of 072920030920

http://www.msnbc.com/news/934483.asp?vts=072920030920

ASPServer

VTS=072920030920

ASPServer

Web Applications

• The 934483.asp file searched the news database for article number (VTS) 072920030920

http://www.msnbc.com/news/934483.asp?vts=072920030920

ASPServer

VTS=072920030920

Database

VTS=072920030920

ASPServer

Web Applications

• The article text is passed back to the ASP Server• Then to the MSNBC web server

http://www.msnbc.com/news/934483.asp?vts=072920030920

ASPServer

VTS=072920030920

Database

VTS=072920030920

ASPServer

Web Applications

• The article text is then inserted into the web page and sent to the requesting user

http://www.msnbc.com/news/934483.asp?vts=072920030920

ASPServer

VTS=072920030920

Database

VTS=072920030920

ASPServer

Web Applications• Web Applications can read or write to multiple

databases, spreadsheets, even mail servers to send email confirmations

ASPServer

Database

Database

Spreadsheet

WebServer

MailServer

Web ApplicationsWeb Applications include on-line:• Banking services• Catalogs and shopping carts• Airline ticket reservations• Chat rooms• Message Boards• Search Engines• Theater Listings• Dating Services• Mortgage CalculatorsTo name only a few applications.

E-Commerce

E-commerce sites are basically large web applications. The ordered items go into a database, which adds up the prices, taxes, even shipping.

The tricky part is the credit card processing

Let’s follow a user that is placing an order.

E-Commerce

• First, the user goes to a website and adds her desired items to the shopping cart

• When all her desired items are in the shopping cart, she clicks the “checkout” button

• The web application will total the item quantities and prices, determine taxes, shipping charges, and present an invoice to her.

User

WebServer

IMABank

Website’sBankAcct

Verification Svc

SecureWeb

Server

E-Commerce

• Next, the she reviews his order and clicks the Purchase button

• The order request is received by the web server who talks to the secure web server

• The secure* web server sends a secure web page to accept the credit card and personal information

User

WebServer

IMABank

Website’sBankAcct

Verification Svc

SecureWeb

Server

*Most Web Host offer limited free SSL services to their customers

E-Commerce

• She then inputs his credit card information and address and starts the credit card purchase

• The credit card information and address is verified by the Verification Service, (ex: VeriSign)

• The Verification Service acts as a messenger service couriering verified information and money to the required places

• Verification Services cost about $20/mo

User

WebServer

SecureWeb

Server

IMABank

Verification Svc

Website’sBankAcct

E-Commerce

• The verified credit card voucher is forwarded to the Internet Merchant Account (IMA) bank

• The website has an IMA to cash the credit card vouchers. These IMA banks charge a percentage and a per transaction fee. They also have a minimum fee of $20/month so if you only receive a few credit card transactions, you’ll end up paying a larger fee

User

WebServer

SecureWeb

Server

IMABank

Verification Svc

Website’sBankAcct

E-Commerce

• The Internet Merchant Account bank will “cash” the credit card request, subtracting their 2-3% and 25-35 cents/transaction charges

• The proceeds are deposited into the Website’s bank account

• This bank account can be the website company’s regular business bank account or a separate one

User

WebServer

SecureWeb

Server

IMABank

Verification Svc

Website’sBankAcct

E-Commerce

• The Internet Merchant Account bank acknowledges the transaction to the Verification Service

• The Verification Service acknowledges the transaction to the Web Server

• The Web Server sends notice to the user that her transaction was approved (or disapproved)

User

WebServer

SecureWeb

Server

IMABank

Verification Svc

Website’sBankAcct

E-Commerce

• The Verification Service will also notify the Website owner of all credit card transactions

• All credit card activities are saved in a database. Special administrative webpages (passworded) allow the website owner to reconcile credit card activity, perform charge-backs, and notify additional email addresses of account activity

User

WebServer

SecureWeb

Server

IMABank

Verification Svc

Website’sBankAcct

Website Requirements

Requirements Collection

• One of the most important steps

• How do we, the development experts, collect requirements from a businessperson who knows his business—but not the Web?

Website Requirements

What Do You Want the Web to do for you?

• What information, pictures, prices, etc. do you want to show about your company?

• Do you want to sell products or services from your website?

• What information could you put on the Web that would prevent “time-costly” phone calls?

Website Requirements

What Do You Want the Web to do for you?• What web applications would bring more

business to your company or make your personnel more efficient? – Tying information from multiple databases together

into a single report– Extending your business information and

applications to your “on the road” salespersons or technicians

– Automating boring, labor-intensive tasks

Website RequirementsWhat do I need for my Website?

• Web Host* – Web server where your website is hosted. Prices are $10 - $50 /mo depending on languages supported, databases, etc.

• Domain Registration – Registers your named URL, www.business.com Prices are $10 – 35/year.

• Web Design - Designing the content, navigation, and layout of your website (front-end). Prices are $50 - $150/hour.

• Web Applications – Design web application functionality (back-end). Prices are $65 – $250/hour

*This is not your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Although your ISP may also Web Host.

Website RequirementsWhat do I need for my Website? (Cont’d)

If e-comm/credit card processing is required:• Shopping Cart Software, ex. Miva, AbleCommerce,

or custom Prices are $1000 - ?• Verification Services, ex. VeriSign Prices are a one-

time setup fee ($150) and about $20/month

• Internet Merchant Account (IMA), ex. eMerchant Solutions Prices are a one-time setup fee ($100) and 2-3% and 25 cents per transaction

• PayPal, requires user signup and checking information