Selection of Web Server Software for Client - Assignment Example

1) - Website Requirements The client under consideration is an electrical goods supplier. The client needs a product website through which the customers can browse through different product offerings of the client. The functional requirements of the website include shopping carts and detailed product pages whereas the non-functional requirements ask for quick access and response time with minimal maintenance time. The website should include SEO implementation so that it can be indexed by major search engines such as Google and Bing. The design of the website will be coded in HTML and CSS and would encompass corporate logos, colors and marketing content of the client. The client would also want a customised Content Management System to be coded so that they can easily change the content on site and add new pages, thus, making it flexible for accommodating changes. The current Information Technology Infrastructure is not very advanced and includes basic users with little knowledge of web technologies. The client is also not willing to spend a hefty amount but do requires a robust, agile and flexible system. 2) - Comparison of available technologies After going through the detailed requirements document from the client and understanding his needs, two sets of technologies can be recommended to the client. Let us compare and contrast between these two sets to see which set can be more viable for the client in the future. The two sets of technologies are: 1) - Internet Information Services, Active Server Pages and SQL Server (Microsoft Products) 2) – Apache, PHP and MySQL It is to be noted here that that both sets have a web server, a web programming language and a database. We should now just compare these technologies individually in detail and then in the subsequent sections, we will relate our results with the available IT infrastructure of the client. 2.1 - Web Servers The function of web server is to deliver services (web content) to the users who are requesting access via Hyper Text Transfer Protocol. The HTTP protocol is normally set by web browsers and doesn’t really require manual intervention or settings by the user. Web content here actually means all the media that is available on the web page. (WDN, 2012) The following table actually shows the differences between two available web servers: Apache and Internet Information Services. APACHE IIS Current market share at 65% Current market share at 15% Designed to work with most Operating Systems IIS designed to work only with Windows Operating Systems Co-operation is limited with the host system and there are no specific utilities available in every OS to monitor web service Greater co-operation with the host system and control through various Windows utilities Independent Request handler is limited Independent Request handler is not limited .Net languages aren’t integrated Support for most programming languages Open source software Comes with Windows OS More secure Less secure because of multiple system calls 2.2 - Web Programming Languages A web programming language or a server side scripting language is a language designed for developing web pages of dynamic nature. The following table shows the comparison between two leading server side scripting languages: PHP and ASP.Net PHP ASP.Net Microsoft Technology. Ships free with IIS on Windows OS. Open source language Runs on most OS Support windows only Slower compilation time Quick compilation and response time Hardware required to run PHP applications is expensive Windows licensing cost Not supported by any specific framework but has custom CMS such as Drupal and Magento Supported by .Net framework which is very reliable Simple to code Complex to code Recommended for small applications Recommended for large applications Lesser data security Enhanced data security (Lerdorf & Tatroe, 2002) 2.3 - Database Management Systems A database management system (DBMS) is a software application that allows for the creation and management of a database. It also allows the users to make changes to the database schema and to make connections with different applications. It also enables controlled data access to different users and stores organisation’s data in a secure and central location. The most used databases for website development are MySQL and SQL Server. The following table discusses the differences between the two tables. MySQL SQL Server Doesn’t have support for SQL View Support, Triggers, Stored procedures and Cursor Support Support for View Support, Triggers, Stored Procedures and Cursor Control No support for BI analysis Support for BI analysis Basic Security only Enhanced Security tools No support storage and logging Support Storage and Logging Limited query support Extreme query support Free and open source Is expensive in price but is a onetime cost Limited control over data Full control over data (Zawodny & Balling, 2004) (Dewson, 2012). 3) – Recommendations for the client We strongly recommend the client to go for Microsoft product suite rather than going for the LAMP architecture. The first reason to go for Microsoft technology is the fact that the company would grow in future and would add more products in its repertoire. This means that company’s transaction and master data would grow and it will require more web space. ASP.net easily supports large websites that have shopping carts and SQL server have an edge on MySQL over manipulating and working with large volumes of data. The SEO and SEM strategies would be discussed in the subsequent section. The list of pages would increase and at times data would be required on the fly. This means that since ASP.Net is based on the framework, it will always support large websites. Cost can be a factor because LAMP architecture is free but has a cost of associated hardware. Microsoft do have its licensing cost but in the longer run it’s worth having Microsoft products since they are flexible enough to make development and design changes to the site. Moreover, IIS can be hosted on a normal Windows PC to start with rather than going for a specialised Apache Server which will have a big cost. The current IT infrastructure and costs at the client’s end do suggest that users are comfortable with Microsoft products and change management would be required to force employees to work on an unfamiliar LAMP technology. The costs can be offset in the longer run since the company is already using Microsoft products. IIS is sort of free with ASP.Net. Any normal PC could be used as a Server at the start. The only licensing cost required at start would be SQL Server cost. 4) - Availability of Different Hosting Options Different hosting options are available right now for the hosting of this website. The core responsibilities of hosting servers are to serve, house and maintain files of the websites so that content is made available to the visitors easily. There are three type of hosting options available for the client: A) - High Speed Dedication Connection B) - Server Co-location C) –Virtual Hosting As per technical review, a high speed dedication connection would be preferred since the company is already using Microsoft Exchange and has a network already present at its premises. This is an expensive option but the company already has network in place and the site can be hosted on a simple PC. To offload price, Windows gives the flexibility of hosting database on an individual workstation. Therefore, in house hosting is recommended. (Haines, n.d.) 5) – Marketing Strategy There are four basic strategies that would be a part of our initial marketing strategy. A) – The first strategy is to use SEO. This involves using techniques to index the page and make sure it gets more hits. SEO is an art and the client will have to hire a good SEO consultant. B) – The second strategy is advertising. We can use Google Adwords and Adsense as low cost strategies to advertise our content on different web pages. C) The third method is to use inbound links. These links can be purchases or organically built. D) Another method is to use secret squirrel marketing by taking part in different forums and list. Also known as Word of mouth on the web. The foremost requirement is to find a good marketing writer who can write good content so that it can be indexed by good search engines. (Ghosh, 2011) References Dewson, R., 2012. Beginning SQL Server 2012 for Developers. 3rd Edition. Apress. Ghosh, D., 2011. A Guide to Organic SEO and Its Benefits. Available at: [Accessed on 22nd April, 2012] Haines, B., n.d. How to Find a Web Host- Web Hosting for your Business. Available at: [Accessed on 22nd April, 2012] Lerdorf, R., Tatroe, K., 2002. Programming PHP. 1st Edition. O’Reily Media. WDN., 2012. What is Web Server- A Computer of a Program? [ONLINE] Available at: [Accessed on 22nd April, 2012] Zawodny, J. D., Balling, D.J., 2004. High Performance MySQL. 1st Edition. O'Reilly Media Read More