Unit 8
Assignment 3
P1- describe the technologies required for e-commerce
P6- Plan an e-commerce strategy
M3- Design an interface for an e-commerce business
A ‘brick and click’ clothing store. This is a fairly well know company however they are
looking to expand internationally. They already have a website however they are looking for
a ‘new, fresh look’ and therefore I will be creating a new look. I will present three web pages
later on in the assignment as a preview for the client.
TASK 1
Domain name/ Domain name registrars
When creating a website you will need a Domain name. The domain name should be
relevant to your company. For example if you are looking to be a company primarily for
dogs you might want to call your website something like ‘dogsrus’. We would need to check
on the domain name registrars to see if the domain name is already being used. If it isn’t
you can purchase the domain name and this would mean that no one else can use the same
domain name. You can only temporarily buy your domain name and you’d have to rebuy it
monthly. One of the mainstream Domain name registrars known as ‘GoDaddy’ sell you the
Domain name (with .com) for as cheap as £0.99. There is also an option to buy ‘.net’, ‘.org’
and ‘.info’ all for £8.00.
What is a registrar?
Registrars keep information that relates to a domain name. The registrars are what are used
to keep hold of the names of current websites to ensure there are not two of the same
names. It is a large database and when people have bought it, there domain name will be
added to the database ensuring no one else can use it. The registrar then makes this
information available to the public and to anyone who is on the website.
Worldwide Web
The internet and worldwide web these days are mistaken to be two interchangeable terms
when talking about computing. In fact they’re different! The internet is the physical
connection between all the computers all over the world and the worldwide web is actually
the virtual network of websites connected by hyperlinks.
1|Page
Matthew Lloyd-Jones
,Unit 8
Assignment 3
Web server
Web servers are computers that are usually set-up in facilities called ‘Data centres’. The
purpose of these computers is to store websites onto it so people can visit them on the
internet.
The files stored on the web servers are read by the browser. (Such as ‘fire-fox’, ‘internet
explorer’ and what I am using now ‘Chrome’) What they do is they convert the files into text
and images for you so that you can view it.
Your browser communicates with web servers to bring the information from the web. Web
servers communicate with many browsers on many computers all at the same time. Their
purpose is to serve files as requested. A server can send the same file, or a different one to
hundreds of users at the same time. Many factors determine how many servers it can do at
once. However the actual hardware is the key component, the hardware effects things such
as the processor speed and depending on how popular the website is they might need to
invest in more efficient/up-to-date processors.
Web servers typically run on two types of operating systems- Linux or Microsoft windows,
there are others, however not so popular. Servers with Linux and Microsoft windows
installed on them also run other key software programs. These software programs are called
Daemons. They run in the background rather than in direct control of the user.
Confusingly enough the software and hardware are both named servers so you must decide
on what one it is by using the context. Here are some ‘daemon software which run on
almost all web servers:
• HTTP Server- Sends website files
• FTP Server- allows for uploading files
• Email Server- gathers direct E-mail
• Database server- stores information defined in fields, essential to the operation of
the website its self (e-Commerce sites need to keep track of names, addresses and
product numbers).
Email
Emails are a way of contacting people, whether this be for an instant response or a delayed
one, whether it be to a friend (informal) or for business (formal), E-mails are key in this day
and age! What makes Emails so that much better than texting is that it is free, runs of Wi-Fi
(most places around the world now have it and you don’t have to change around things on
your phone when going abroad. With o2 when you go away you have to buy a special
contract which enables you to use your phone abroad if using 3g) and you can attach files
(PowerPoint Presentations, videos and the infamous funny photos grandmas send to each
over).
2|Page
Matthew Lloyd-Jones
, Unit 8
Assignment 3
Protocols
Protocols are agreed ways to communicate with each other. Such as the common
handshake we humans do when seeing one another.
There are a lot of protocols used and each different one of them has a separate purpose.
The link layer navigates through routers to reach where it needs to be.
The internet layer target on the IP (Internet Protocol) address,
the transport layer shows the link where to go to its destination. And finally the
application layer contain other protocols to transfer data such as:
• HTTP (Hypertext transfer protocol)
• HTTPS (hypertext transfer secure protocol)
• SMTP (simple mail transfer protocol)
Application layer e.g. HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP
The ‘application layer’ contains other protocols to transfer data such as HTTP (Hypertext
transfer protocol), HTTPS (hypertext transfer secure protocol) and SMTP (simple mail
transfer protocol).
HTTP- This protocol is the standard one in which browsers and webservers communicate
with each over.
HTTPS- This protocol is quite simply the same as a HTTP, however it has another protocol on
board, the SSL, and this is otherwise known as ‘Secure Socket Layer’. It affectively is an extra
step in the communication with the server, this means that the data is sent in both
directions (encrypted).
SMTP- This is part of the application layer of the TCP/IP protocol. Using a process called
"store and forward," SMTP moves your email on and across networks. It works closely with
something called the Mail Transfer Agent (MTA) to send your communication to the right
computer and email inbox.
Online applications (google docs)
Instead of paying and installing a program to your computer, online applications allow users
to use programs on the internet; this means you can access this means that so long as you
have access to internet you access the “online applications” anywhere in the world.
They are mostly free however some you have to pat a small subscription fee. An example of
an online application being- “Google Docs”.
3|Page
Matthew Lloyd-Jones
Assignment 3
P1- describe the technologies required for e-commerce
P6- Plan an e-commerce strategy
M3- Design an interface for an e-commerce business
A ‘brick and click’ clothing store. This is a fairly well know company however they are
looking to expand internationally. They already have a website however they are looking for
a ‘new, fresh look’ and therefore I will be creating a new look. I will present three web pages
later on in the assignment as a preview for the client.
TASK 1
Domain name/ Domain name registrars
When creating a website you will need a Domain name. The domain name should be
relevant to your company. For example if you are looking to be a company primarily for
dogs you might want to call your website something like ‘dogsrus’. We would need to check
on the domain name registrars to see if the domain name is already being used. If it isn’t
you can purchase the domain name and this would mean that no one else can use the same
domain name. You can only temporarily buy your domain name and you’d have to rebuy it
monthly. One of the mainstream Domain name registrars known as ‘GoDaddy’ sell you the
Domain name (with .com) for as cheap as £0.99. There is also an option to buy ‘.net’, ‘.org’
and ‘.info’ all for £8.00.
What is a registrar?
Registrars keep information that relates to a domain name. The registrars are what are used
to keep hold of the names of current websites to ensure there are not two of the same
names. It is a large database and when people have bought it, there domain name will be
added to the database ensuring no one else can use it. The registrar then makes this
information available to the public and to anyone who is on the website.
Worldwide Web
The internet and worldwide web these days are mistaken to be two interchangeable terms
when talking about computing. In fact they’re different! The internet is the physical
connection between all the computers all over the world and the worldwide web is actually
the virtual network of websites connected by hyperlinks.
1|Page
Matthew Lloyd-Jones
,Unit 8
Assignment 3
Web server
Web servers are computers that are usually set-up in facilities called ‘Data centres’. The
purpose of these computers is to store websites onto it so people can visit them on the
internet.
The files stored on the web servers are read by the browser. (Such as ‘fire-fox’, ‘internet
explorer’ and what I am using now ‘Chrome’) What they do is they convert the files into text
and images for you so that you can view it.
Your browser communicates with web servers to bring the information from the web. Web
servers communicate with many browsers on many computers all at the same time. Their
purpose is to serve files as requested. A server can send the same file, or a different one to
hundreds of users at the same time. Many factors determine how many servers it can do at
once. However the actual hardware is the key component, the hardware effects things such
as the processor speed and depending on how popular the website is they might need to
invest in more efficient/up-to-date processors.
Web servers typically run on two types of operating systems- Linux or Microsoft windows,
there are others, however not so popular. Servers with Linux and Microsoft windows
installed on them also run other key software programs. These software programs are called
Daemons. They run in the background rather than in direct control of the user.
Confusingly enough the software and hardware are both named servers so you must decide
on what one it is by using the context. Here are some ‘daemon software which run on
almost all web servers:
• HTTP Server- Sends website files
• FTP Server- allows for uploading files
• Email Server- gathers direct E-mail
• Database server- stores information defined in fields, essential to the operation of
the website its self (e-Commerce sites need to keep track of names, addresses and
product numbers).
Emails are a way of contacting people, whether this be for an instant response or a delayed
one, whether it be to a friend (informal) or for business (formal), E-mails are key in this day
and age! What makes Emails so that much better than texting is that it is free, runs of Wi-Fi
(most places around the world now have it and you don’t have to change around things on
your phone when going abroad. With o2 when you go away you have to buy a special
contract which enables you to use your phone abroad if using 3g) and you can attach files
(PowerPoint Presentations, videos and the infamous funny photos grandmas send to each
over).
2|Page
Matthew Lloyd-Jones
, Unit 8
Assignment 3
Protocols
Protocols are agreed ways to communicate with each other. Such as the common
handshake we humans do when seeing one another.
There are a lot of protocols used and each different one of them has a separate purpose.
The link layer navigates through routers to reach where it needs to be.
The internet layer target on the IP (Internet Protocol) address,
the transport layer shows the link where to go to its destination. And finally the
application layer contain other protocols to transfer data such as:
• HTTP (Hypertext transfer protocol)
• HTTPS (hypertext transfer secure protocol)
• SMTP (simple mail transfer protocol)
Application layer e.g. HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP
The ‘application layer’ contains other protocols to transfer data such as HTTP (Hypertext
transfer protocol), HTTPS (hypertext transfer secure protocol) and SMTP (simple mail
transfer protocol).
HTTP- This protocol is the standard one in which browsers and webservers communicate
with each over.
HTTPS- This protocol is quite simply the same as a HTTP, however it has another protocol on
board, the SSL, and this is otherwise known as ‘Secure Socket Layer’. It affectively is an extra
step in the communication with the server, this means that the data is sent in both
directions (encrypted).
SMTP- This is part of the application layer of the TCP/IP protocol. Using a process called
"store and forward," SMTP moves your email on and across networks. It works closely with
something called the Mail Transfer Agent (MTA) to send your communication to the right
computer and email inbox.
Online applications (google docs)
Instead of paying and installing a program to your computer, online applications allow users
to use programs on the internet; this means you can access this means that so long as you
have access to internet you access the “online applications” anywhere in the world.
They are mostly free however some you have to pat a small subscription fee. An example of
an online application being- “Google Docs”.
3|Page
Matthew Lloyd-Jones
