Web Site Design and Development

Typically you are assigned a directory on the server in which your files are stored. Your account should allow for access to your files through FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and possibly Telnet. Your provider should provide logs or counter files so that you may determine the amount of traffic your site receives. Depending upon your provider's system security configuration, you may or may not be able to use interactive pages. The Internet address (URL) assigned to your site is the provider's address plus your directory. Example http://provider.com/mycompany/ .

Another advantage is that the server configuration files can be set up separately for your application. This does not need to be put to use for all virtual sites on the server, but it is a definite advantage for the ones needing special access control, indexing features or other server options.

The down side of having your own server includes high cost for a dedicated Internet line, the cost of the equipment, the cost of maintenance and administration of the equipment.

More advantages to owning a server include:

• A high speed Internet connection that can be use by a number of individuals in your organization, simultaneously.
• Provide e-mail service to your organization.
• Provide ftp, gopher, and other Internet services to clients/customers and other members of the public.
• Provide Internet access to other computers in your organization through a LAN (Local Area Network), though a security precaution know as a Firewall should be set up
• Transmission of special protocols, like voice conferencing can be accomplished with other Internet users that have the appropriate software.
• All these additional services can be obtained at no extra cost (or at most a minimal set up fee).

56K	Operates at 56,000 bits per second	The best choice for most sites. Can handle several thousands of requests per day.
T1	Operates at 1,500,000 bits per second	Needed for exceptionally high traffic, typically not needed except for large multi-site multi-use servers.
Fractional T1	Typically available as 1/12th of a full T1	Provides a lower cost option to a full T1, where traffic is still high, but not high enough to warrant leasing a T1.
Frame Relay	A line sharing and switching scheme	Provides lower cost for portions of the leased lines (where available).

Unlike some protocols, web servers only need to handle an incoming request and respond by sending the appropriate file, or execute the requested program and respond with the results. Typically this operation is over in less than a second, thus high processing speed is usually not needed.

The typical operation of the server software is that when a request is received, the program makes a copy of itself (a child program or process) to handle the request, while it returns to its normal state to receive more requests. It is quite possible that several requests may be received at the same time, thus there can be several child processes running at the same time. This is why a lot of memory is required, so that multiple processes can run at the same time. Typically 32 to 64 MB of RAM should be installed.

A Unix type (POSIX standard) operating system provides the best performance in speed and stability. Linux is a freeware system based upon the POSIX standard that provides excellent performance and is surprisingly well supported on the Internet by various organizations and individuals.

Commercial operating systems usually offer better technical support from their vendors (possibly, for a limited time period). The user documentation received with the commercial products, tend to be extensive and well written. For typical applications there is no real advantage (other than the two cited) to using one of the commercial systems. In fact, for a nominal fee, Linux is available on CD-ROM on several software packages, with Documentation and on call technical support.

Windows NT has grown in popularity, as many owners with Windows background find it is easy to set up and administer. However it is not as fast as a POSIX standard (Unix) system. Macintosh and possibly every other type of computer and operating system can and has been used as a web server. An important factor to many of the owners is familiarity with the system.

The decision of which type of computer and system to run should be based on a number of factors. As cited above, some owners choose a system that they are familiar with. Equal importances are the reliability of the system, how well it handles multiple requests, and the availability of supporting software applications. For this reasons a POSIX standard (Unix) system is usually the best choice.

Installation, set-up and administration of the system may take a number of days to learn (for someone already familiar with computers). A viable option for many system owners is to have a consultant handle the set up and overall administration of the server. This way the owners can focus on maintaining the web site's files and logs, while someone else takes care of the more difficult but infrequent tasks.

The tasks involved in the set-up and administration of the server, though sometimes complex, are not overly difficult, but because these tasks are usually performed infrequently, or even only once, the owner does not have the experience to perform the task in the most effective/efficient manner. This is when a consultant that has the needed knowledge and experience is very useful and cost-effective for taking care of the server.

For usually a nominal fee a consultant can be obtained to perform set-up and weekly and/or monthly servicing of the server. The consultant can also provide instruction on the more routine tasks, so that the owner can perform these tasks.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at E.T. Smith Associates for free consultation and/or a quote for services.