The document discusses hardware and software requirements for e-business and e-commerce websites. It describes the key components needed including web servers, databases, web hosting options, shopping cart software, and client hardware and software. Specific requirements are provided for memory, processors, storage, operating systems, web servers, databases, and other software. E-commerce requirements are also summarized such as necessary telecommunication infrastructure including adequate bandwidth and security measures.

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CHAPTER-2:
HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE FOR E-BUSINESS:
Web Server:
 The term web server can refer to either the hardware (the computer) or the software
(the computer application) that helps to deliver web content that can be accessed
through the Internet.
 The most common use of web servers is to host websites, but there are other uses such
as gaming, data storage or running enterprise applications.
 The primary function of a web server is to deliver web pages to clients. The
communication between client and server takes place using the Hypertext Transfer
Protocol (HTTP). Pages delivered are most frequently HTML documents, which may
include images, style sheets and scripts in addition to text content.
 Every web server has an IP address and possibly a domain name. For example, if you
enter the URL http://www.pcwebopedia.com/index/html in your browser, this sends a
request to the web server whose domain name is pcwebopedia.com. The server then
fetches the page named index.html and sends it to your browser.
Client-Server Architecture:
 The computer runs software called the client and it interacts with another software
known as the server located at a remote computer.
 The client is usually a browser such as Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Netscape
Navigator or Mozilla Firefox browsers interact with the server using a set of
instructions called protocols.
Some common internet protocols:
1. HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol):
This protocol is used on the World Wide Web (WWW) for transferring web pages
and files contained in web pages such as images.
2. FTP (File Transfer Protocol):
This protocol is used for transferring files form one machine to the other.

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3. SMPT (Simple Mail Transport Protocol):
This protocol is used for e-mail.
Internet:
 The Internet refers to the physical network that links computers across the globe.
 It consists of the infrastructure of network servers and communication links between
them that are used to hold and transport information between the client computers and
the web servers.
Client-Server communication:
We know that two computers interact with each other on the internet. In this interaction,
when request is made by one computer, then, that computer is called Client and when the
request gets served by another computer, then, that computer is called Server.
Web Browser:
 A web browser is a software application used to locate and display web pages.
 It is able to retrieve, find, view and send information over the internet.
 The most popular web browsers are Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Netscape
Navigator and Mozilla Firefox, Opera.
 The main function of a web browser is to give users’ access to the World Wide Web.
The browser understands the programming language used to write web pages and
convert them to readable and viewable documents.
Commonly used protocols (rules) in web browser:
 The web browser supports variety of protocols.
 The most commonly used protocol on the web browser is Hyper Text Transfer
Protocol (HTTP). These protocols are typically used when browsers communicates
with the server.
 The other protocols used in web browser are FTP (File Transfer Protocol), Telnet, etc.

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Web Server Program:
 It is a software that runs on the website hosting server computer.
 Its main purpose is to serve web page which means it waits for requests from web
browser (also known as clients) and responds by sending the required data back.
Web Server Software:
 It is a piece of software that is installed and runs on the server platform (Microsoft XP,
Microsoft NT, UNIX or some other operating system).
 When the user clicks a hyperlink on a web page, a request is sent to the web server for
the page associated with the link. It is the HTTP that responds to the request and
sends the results to the client machine.
Web Server Hardware:
 It is a computer that is used to host an e-commerce website.
 All HTML files, database and images files that make up the entire content of the
website are stored on the server.
 Web server will run on Windows or Linux or any other operating system and will use
web server software to manage and access request to the website.
 A web server is similar to a personal computer but will have foster procedure and
more memory, making it much more powerful depending upon the traffic and e-
commerce application.
 The hardware should be selected, if the number of bits per second is too heavy and
then we should select a powerful computer for server.
 Web server hardware is one of the major components of the e-commerce
infrastructure on which the performance of the whole e-commerce application
depends.
 When determining what sort of server, hardware and software to use, we have to
consider size of the website, purpose of the website and traffic on the website.

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Web hosting:
 It is a service that allows organizations and individuals to publish or upload a website
or webpage onto the internet.
 A web host or web hosting service provider is a business that provides the
technological services needed for the website or web page to be viewed on the
internet.
 Websites are hosted or stored on special computers called web servers.
Web hosting choices:
To be success on the web, a company needs an informative, reliable and easy to navigate
website. Today, there are many web hosting companies offering different types of web
hosting plans. Before we make our web host choice, it is important to learn about the
different types of web hosting available.
The different types of web hosting are as follows:
1. Virtual Dedicated Server Hosting:
 This type of web hosting is sometimes referred to as a Virtual Private Server
(VPS).
 This method of hosting involves dividing the server into various resources that
all functions independently from one another.
 We will be responsible for maintenance of the server.
 A user will often choose virtual dedicated server hosting when one server has
to be networked to other users in the same organization.
2. Dedicated Hosting:
 If we acquire dedicated server hosting, we will have a server and its resources
dedicated exclusively for us.
 The benefit is there is more flexibility in the creation of the website.
 We will normally have a choice of managed or unmanaged hosting.
 With unmanaged hosting, we have to maintain the security of the website.
 With managed hosting, we can get a plan where the host company provides
24/7 / 365 days technical, security and server monitoring support.

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3. Co-location Hosting:
 Co-location hosting is much like dedicated hosting except we will have our own
server.
 Co-location hosting is a good choice for those who already have their own server
and equipment.
4. Cloud Hosting:
 Cloud hosting is in the same group as grid and clustered hosting.
 When we move to the cloud, we will hire a cloud provider to run one or more of
their systems on its own servers.
 Clients are provided with everything they need to run the cloud and the cloud
they purchase comes ready to be deployed.
 The cloud has a unique feature where if there is a power outage, the hosting
environment will migrate to another virtual server so the security and availability
of the web site is maintained.
 As well, billing of resources is based on a pay-per-use fee structure which is much
like how we pay our utility bills.
Because, there are a number of different host plans available, before we choose our web
hosting provider, it is important that we consider our business needs and budget. This will
help us to determine which type of web hosting is right for us. We can then find the web host
provider that can fulfil our needs at a price that meets our budget.
Shopping Cart:
 On a website that sells products or services online, the shopping cart is a common
image for the catalogue or other pages where a user reads and makes selections.
 Typically, the user checks off any products or services that are being ordered and then,
when finished ordering, indicates that and proceeds to a page where the total order is
placed and confirmed.
 The programing that provides a web site with ability to build a catalogue and its
associated database and to integrate pages into its site that provide users the ability to
shop is known as shopping cart software.

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 Typically, a shopping cart is the interface between a company’s web site and its
deeper infrastructure, allowing consumers to select merchandise, review what they
have selected, make necessary modifications or additions and purchase the
merchandise.
Shopping Cart Software:
 In online marketing, a shopping cart is a piece of e-commerce software on a web
server that allows visitors to an Internet site to select items for eventual purchase.
 The software allows online shopping customers to accumulate a list of items for
purchase, described metaphorically as “placing items in the shopping cart” or “add to
cart”.
 Upon checkout, the software typically calculates a total for the order, including
shipping and handling (i.e. postage and packing) charges and the associated taxes, as
applicable.
 For example, one will have the same experience while buying various items on
Flipkart.com, Amazon.com, ebay.com, etc.
Websites and Internet Utility Programs:
 A utility program allows a user to perform maintenance type tasks related to
managing a computer, server, internet communication, client server communication or
programs.
 The utility programs are very much helpful in analysing the issues and fixing it.
Hardware and Software Requirements for Web Servers:
Hardware Requirements:
Database and Web Server tiers on one server-smaller company requirements:
Hardware
Component
Specification Recommended
Specification
Memory (RAM) 16 GB 32 GB
Processor 2×2.0 GHz or higher
quad core processor.
4×3.0 GHz or higher
quad core processor.

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Free Space Required
on Hard Drive
1 T* 1.5*
Separate Hardware for Database and Web Server:
Database Server Hardware Requirements:
Hardware Component Minimum Specification Recommended
Specification
Memory (RAM) 16 GB 32 GB
Processor 2×2.0 GHz or higher quad
core processor.
4×3.0 GHz or higher quad
core processor.
Free Space Required on Hard
Drive
0.5 T* 0.5 T*
Web Server Hardware Requirements:
Hardware Component Minimum Specification Recommended
Specification
Memory (RAM) 16 GB 32 GB
Processor 2×2.0 GHz or higher dual
core processor.
8×3.0 GHz or higher dual
core processor.
Free Space Required on Hard
Drive
1 T* 2 T*
Client Hardware Requirements:
Hardware Component Minimum Specification Recommended
Specification
Memory (RAM) 1.5 GB 4 GB
Processor 2 GHz or higher single core
processor.
3.0 GHz or higher dual core
processor.
Free Space Required on Hard 100 GB 200 GB

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Drive
Software Requirements:
Required Software for Database:
Software Qualified Supported
Operating System  Red Hat Linux 5.2,
x64 Edition.
 Fedora 14×64.
 Windows Enterprise
Server 2003.
 Windows Enterprise
Server 2008.
 Red Hat Linux 5.2,
x64 Edition.
 Fedora 14×64.
 Windows Server
2000.
 Windows Enterprise
Server 2003.
 Windows Enterprise
Server 2008.
Postgres**  8.x  8.x
Oracle**  10g
 11g
 9
 10g
 11g
Oracle Installation  Oracle Standard
Edition.
 Oracle Enterprise
Edition.
 Oracle Standard
Edition.
 Oracle Enterprise
Edition.
Oracle Character Set UTF8, AL32UTF8 (If you
have an existing database,
you have to edit the
Character Set if it does not
match the requirement, or
you have to create a new
instance of oracle with the
convenient Character Set).
UTF8, AL32UTF8 (If you
have an existing database,
you have to edit the
Character Set if it does not
match the requirement, or
you have to create a new
instance of oracle with the
convenient Character Set).

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Required Software for Web Server:
Software Qualified Supported
Operating System  Red Hat Linux 5.2,
x64 Edition.
 Fedora 14×64.
 Windows Enterprise
Server 2003.
 Windows Enterprise
Server 2008.
 Red Hat Linux 5.2,
x64 Edition.
 Fedora 14×64.
 Windows Server
2000.
 Windows Enterprise
Server 2003.
 Windows Enterprise
Server 2008.
Web Server Apache Tomcat v.6.0.20 Apache Tomcat v.6.0.20
Java 1.6.0.20 1.6.0.20
Network Net service connectivity to
the Oracle database. Clients
must be able to connect to
the Web Server. All clients
must be able to resolve the
same name to browse to the
Web Server.
Net service connectivity to
the Oracle database. Clients
must be able to connect to
the Web Server. All clients
must be able to resolve the
same name to browse to the
Web Server.
Oracle/Pstgres jar***
Open Office*** 3.1.1 3.1.1
OCR engine***
*Space requirements are for orientation only and estimates need to be made based on actual
size/volume of files processed.
**Either Postgres or Oracle can be used.
***These components will be provided with the package.

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Required Software for Client:
Software Qualified Supported
Operating System  Windows XP, SP3+
 Windows Vista, SP2+
 Windows 7, x86 &
x64 Editions.
 Mac OS X…
 Windows XP, SP3+
 Windows Vista, SP2+
 Windows 7, x86 &
x64 Editions.
OS Supported Languages  English (US & UK).  US & All Western
European Languages.
Browser-all Apps except
WebELN
 Firefox 3.5, 3.6, 4.0
 IE 7
 IE 8
 Firefox 3.5, 3.6, 4.0
 IE 7
 IE 8
WebELN mode  IE 7
 IE 8
 IE 7
 IE 8
Chemical Drawing ChemDraw Plug in 10.x ChemDraw Plug in 10.x
E-commerce Requirements:
E-commerce requirements widely vary with different kinds of e-commerce activities.
The requirements for e-commerce are as follows:
1. Telecommunication Infrastructure Requirements:
 This mostly entails bandwidth and security.
 The requirement for bandwidth varies widely from one e-commerce activity to
another making it hard to generalize.
 Bandwidth usually becomes crucial for service-based B2B e-commerce as
opposed to product-based one and high-traffic B2C e-commerce as opposed to
low-traffic one.
 Two main components of security requirements for e-commerce are type of
firewall and encryption/algorithm mechanism.

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 This also varies widely from one e-commerce activity to the other, ranging
from protection against unwanted disclosure of client information to guarantee
of reliable electronic payment.
 Security requirements are a crucial part of e-commerce.
2. Hardware Requirements for E-commerce:
 Hardware requirements for high-traffic sites may be dependent on the
following issues: number of transactions per second, number of hits per
second, number of queries per second, number of queries done by RDBMS per
second, number of pages served per second involving all of the above
parameters.
 Some other factors that need to be considered when setting up a high traffic e-
commerce site include clustering, i.e., use of backup servers which
automatically takes over operations in case of failure of primary ones.
 Low-traffic sites can be easily served from a single machine depending on the
needs of the business.
 Pentium II/III based Intel server running Linux can serve hundreds of unique
customers each day.
3. Software Requirements for E-commerce:
 Several softwares are available free on the Internet that can be used to build e-
commerce exchanges.
 Some examples are Apache Web Server, Apache-Jserv Servlet Engine, Linux
Operating System, MySQL database, postgresql, etc.
 Many of these open source softwares may not be adequate for high-traffic sites.
4. Financial Infrastructure:
Payment procedures are the ways in which a seller can receive payment in return for
the goods or services sold. Access to these services depends on the banking
infrastructure in location of selling and customer’s locations.
For full-fledged e-commerce transactions, the baking infrastructure requirements
should be as follows:
a. Dependable telecommunication network.

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b. Use of integrated banking software for bank office and front office data
processing.
c. Use of WAN and Internet for banking operations.
d. Availability of Electronic Fund Transfer System.
e. Availability of Electronic Clearing System.
f. Availability of Public Key based Encryption System.
g. Availability of Credit Card System both for local and international payment.
h. Availability of Foreign Exchange Remittance Mechanism over the Internet.
i. Availability of Legal Infrastructure supporting online payment mechanism
Interim Solution.
If local telecommunication services in a country do not allow for direct connection
of a website to secure payment facilities, and in particular to those offered by
credit card companies, it may be possible to host a website in a neighbouring
location that is capable of providing the necessary financial connections.
5. Legal and Policy Framework:
 In general, policies that ensure legal certainty, security and consumer
protection for online transactions and interactions should be enacted.
 These include the resolution of issues such as transactional security, electronic
contract enforceability and the authentication of individuals and
documentation.
 The development of such an enabling environment has involved a joint focus
of government and private sectors on an efficient and sound financial system
(including online payments, the use of electronic currency and foreign
exchange liberalization), an efficient, inexpensive and reliable
telecommunication system (including to long-distance market, competitive
local exchange carriers and high speed defence of intellectual property rights,
an efficient tax administration and swift, transparent and reliable customer
operations.
 The following factors, often influence by national policy should be considered:
a. Perceived political risk.

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b. Predictability of the legal environment.
c. Soundness of economic and monetary policy.
d. Openness to foreign direct investment.
e. Convertibility of local currency.
f. Restrictions on capital flows.
g. Credit Card usage.
h. Credit Card processing protocols.
i. Access to credit.
j. Entrepreneurial culture.
k. Access to start-up capital.
l. Regulations and restrictions on small business.
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