Introduction to Web Technology

1
Introduction to Web Technology

• Beckwith Consulting, Inc

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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

Its time to take the red pill
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Web ConceptsHow the Web Works

• Lets 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
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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
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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
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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)

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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

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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

Dialup Modem
Phone Outlet
Note Uses regular(RJ11) phone cable
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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

Cable/DSL/ Satellite Modem
Cable/ Satellite Outlet
Note Uses special Category 5 (Cat 5 RJ45) Cable
called patchcords
Most network equipment has a speed of 100Mbit/s
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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)

Cable/DSL Satellite Outlet
Hub
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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 )

Cable/DSL Satellite Outlet
Router/ Switch
Switches are smarter and faster than hubs
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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

Wireless Router/ Switch
Cable/ Satellite Outlet
Wireless is more convenient, but slower and less
secure than Cable
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Quick Note on Networks Cable/Satellite with
Wireless and Regular Router/Switch

• Cable/Satellite Modem and two Router/ Switches
  plugged into cable/satellite outlet

Wireless Router/ Switch
Cable/ Satellite Outlet
Router/ Switch
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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

Firewall
Router/ Switch Firewall
Cable/ Satellite Outlet
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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

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Web ConceptsHow the Web Works

• Back to the Logged in computer
• Once 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

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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.

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Web ConceptsHow the Web Works

• Example
• You wants news so you types in
  http//www.msnbc.com/news/934483.asp?vts072920030
  920
• Quick 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 ?vts072920030920 Additional
  information sent in the request, in this case the
  article number called vts.

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Web ConceptsHow the Web Works

• Simple Example
• You wants news so you type in
  http//www.msnbc.com/news/934483.asp?vts072920030
  920
• MSN-BC receives the request, looks up the article
  and send it back to you.

http//www.msnbc.com/news/934483.asp?vts072920030
920
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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?vts072920030
  920
• MSN-BCs 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/9
  34483.asp
• MSN-BC receives the request, accesses its
  database to look up the article and sends the
  article (vts072920030920) 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. Its
waiting for those pieces to complete the page.
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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-BCs 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.

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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.

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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. Youll
  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 messagesfoiling the hackers.

https//www.bankofamerica.com
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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)

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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.

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Web Applications

• Web pages are like online Word documents. HTML
  is used to display pictures, format paragraphs,
  change colors, fonts, etc.. BUT Word cant 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.

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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

ASP Server
ASP Server
VTS072920030920
http//www.msnbc.com/news/934483.asp?vts072920030
920
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Web Applications

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

VTS072920030920
Database
ASP Server
ASP Server
VTS072920030920
http//www.msnbc.com/news/934483.asp?vts072920030
920
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Web Applications

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

VTS072920030920
Database
ASP Server
ASP Server
VTS072920030920
http//www.msnbc.com/news/934483.asp?vts072920030
920
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Web Applications

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

VTS072920030920
Database
ASP Server
ASP Server
VTS072920030920
http//www.msnbc.com/news/934483.asp?vts072920030
920
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Web Applications

• Web Applications can read or write to multiple
  databases, spreadsheets, even mail servers to
  send email confirmations

Database
Spreadsheet
ASP Server
Database
Mail Server
Web Server
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Web Applications

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

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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
• Lets follow a user that is placing an order.

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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
Web Server
Secure Web Server
Verification Svc
Websites Bank Acct
IMA Bank
35
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
Web Server
Secure Web Server
Verification Svc
Websites Bank Acct
IMA Bank
Most Web Host offer limited free SSL
services to their customers
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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
Web Server
Secure Web Server
Verification Svc
Websites Bank Acct
IMA Bank
37
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, youll end up
  paying a larger fee

User
Web Server
Secure Web Server
Verification Svc
Websites Bank Acct
IMA Bank
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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 Websites
  bank account
• This bank account can be the website companys
  regular business bank account or a separate one

User
Web Server
Secure Web Server
Verification Svc
Websites Bank Acct
IMA Bank
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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
Web Server
Secure Web Server
Verification Svc
Websites Bank Acct
IMA Bank
40
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
Web Server
Secure Web Server
Verification Svc
Websites Bank Acct
IMA Bank
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Website Requirements

• Requirements Collection
• One of the most important steps
• How do we, the development experts, collect
  requirements from a businessperson who knows his
  businessbut not the Web?

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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?

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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

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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.
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Website RequirementsWhat do I need for my
Website? (Contd)

• 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