Site Infrastructure and Software - Quiz Explanation

The correct answers are indicated below, along with text that explains the correct answers.

1.	Your company has an existing database, which is not currently accessible via the Web. Which solution below can help you connect this legacy system to the Web? Please select the best answer.
	A.	Increase the number of Web servers in your system
	B.	Apply Common Object Record Broker Architecture
	C.	Incorporate a database application such as Oracle
	D.	Increase the amount of RAM for your production server.
	B is the correct answer . CORBA is a language specially designed to mitigate between other languages. A is incorrect because adding a Web server to the system will increase performance, but does not specifically help a legacy database reach the Web. C is incorrect because a database application such as Oracle is designed help store and process information; they are not specific software solutions thatallow Web servers to connect to legacy systems. D is incorrect because increasing the amount of RAM will improve performance, but not address legacy issues.

2.	Your site is experiencing a great deal of traffic. You are using one Web server, which has been brought down several times due to the number of requests. The problem is due to inadequate I/O, as well as low memory and a weak CPU. Of the options given below, which is the best solution to solve this problem? Please select the best answer.
	A.	Create a new virtual server, bind an IP address to this new server, then direct half of the requests to it.
	B.	Add an additional server, then begin load balancing, where a router divides requests between two servers.
	C.	Use virtual directories to store pages on different areas of the hard drive.
	D.	Create a multihomed system, then divide the load between the two network interfaces.
	B is the correct answer . A multimachine configuration will initiate load balancing, creating a system that's capable of handling the requests. A is incorrect because a virtual server allows you to bind multiple IP addresses to the same NIC and will not reduce the number of hits to the machine. Likewise, a virtual directory will not save the machine from traffic, because it is a solution that allows a Web server to map a URL path name (seen in the browser) to a local file. D is incorrect even though a multihomed system may seem like an effective solution. It creates a new means for packets to enter the system, it does not offload the traffic from the server.

3.	You have decided to use Microsoft Active Server Pages (ASP) as your scripting solution. Which of the following platforms is best suited for ASP? Please select the best answer.
	A.	Linux and Apache Server
	B.	Solaris and Apache Server
	C.	Windows NT 4.0 Server and IIS
	D.	AIX and IIS
	C is the correct answer. ASP works only on Microsoft Windows with IIS installed. Therefore, any UNIX flavor is not suitable. This includes AIX, Solaris, and Linux.

4.	You are using a Sun Solaris system. Which of the following Web servers could you use? Please select the best answer.
	A.	Microsoft IIS
	B.	Microsoft SQL Server
	C.	Oracle 8i
	D.	Apache Web Server
	A is the correct answer. You can run Apache Server on your Solaris box. A is incorrect because IIS runs only on Windows NT systems. B and C are incorrect because SQL Server and Oracle 8i are database applications that allow Web servers to work with databases.

5.	Which of the following is the most important hardware component, in terms of performance? Please select the best answer.
	A.	The CPU
	B.	The NIC
	C.	The I/O subsystem
	D.	The hard drive
	C is the correct answer. Web servers must read the hard drive and interact with the CPU and the NIC. The individual interface cards and hard drives are less important than the entire subsystem. Therefore, rule out answers B and D. The CPU is an important consideration, but is less so than the I/O card.

6.	Which of the following could you use to hook up a Web site to a database? Please select the best answer.
	A.	A CGI script
	B.	A virtual server
	C.	A payment gateway
	D.	A virtual directory
	A is the correct answer. Solutions such as perl, ASP, and Cold Fusion all can help you connect Web pages to a database. B is incorrect because a virtual server allows you to bind multiple IP addresses to the same NIC. C is incorrect because a payment gateway enables transactions on the Web. D is incorrect because a virtual directory has little direct bearing on database connectivity.

7.	You have decided to allow users to buy and sell over the Web. To do this, which of the options given below is required? Please select the best answer.
	A.	An application server
	B.	Two domain names
	C.	SQL Server
	D.	A payment gateway
	D is the correct answer. A payment gateway is software that authorizes and processes e-commerce transactions over the Web. A is incorrect because an application server is a solution used allow a Web server to communicate with legacy systems. B is incorrect because two domain names are used when configuring a staging server. C is incorrect because SQL server is a database application that allows you to integrate an inventory management system with your e-commerce software.

8.	You have created a full-blown e-commerce site, but now wish to put it through an extensive testing period. Which of the following can help you? Please select the best answer.
	A.	A Thin client
	B.	A virtual server
	C.	A default document
	D.	A staging server
	D is the correct answer. A staging server allows you to simulate the functionality of the production server. A is incorrect because a Thin client is anapplication used to address legacy issues. B is incorrect a virtual server is a specific instance of a Web server, whereas an application server acts as middleware that connects a Web server to a legacy system. C is incorrect because a default document is a Web location where a user is sent if they do not specify a document.