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IRC, FoIP; e-commerce building blocks

Short answer

IRC is real-time text chat using client-server networks and channels. FoIP sends fax as IP packets via T.37 or T.38. E-commerce building blocks include network infrastructure, web storefront, product catalog, shopping cart, payment gateway, security, order management, back-end systems, customer service, and legal framework.

What do you mean by IRC and FoIP? Discuss in detail about the building blocks of e-commerce.

IRC

IRC (Internet Relay Chat) is a text-based, real-time chat system on the internet. Users connect with an IRC client to an IRC server (network), join channels (named with #, e.g. #nepal) and talk in groups, or send private messages. It uses TCP (usually port 6667) and was created by Jarkko Oikarinen in 1988.

FoIP

FoIP (Fax over IP) is the sending of fax documents as IP packets across a network instead of through the telephone network. The fax is converted into digital data by a fax gateway and carried using ITU-T T.37 (store-and-forward by e-mail) or T.38 (real-time over UDP/TCP). It reduces call charges and allows fax over the internet.

Building blocks of e-commerce

 Customer
    |
 [Web storefront] -> [Catalogue/search]
    |                      |
 [Shopping cart] -> [Payment gateway] -> Bank
    |
 [Order management] -> [Fulfilment/logistics]
    |
 [Back-end DB / ERP]   [Security]
 [Network infrastructure]
  1. Network infrastructure. Internet, LAN, servers, hosting, bandwidth, ISPs. It is the foundation.
  2. Web storefront (front end). Website or app showing products, designed for easy use on all devices.
  3. Product catalogue and search. Database of products, prices, images and categories, with search and filter.
  4. Shopping cart. Collects the chosen items and calculates price, tax and shipping.
  5. Payment system. Payment gateway and methods (card, wallets, internet banking, cash on delivery) for secure money transfer.
  6. Security. SSL/TLS, authentication, encryption, firewalls, digital signatures and certificates, fraud control.
  7. Order management and fulfilment. Tracks orders, stock, packing, shipping and returns.
  8. Back-end systems. Database, ERP, accounting, inventory and customer relationship management.
  9. Customer service and marketing. E-mail, chat support, SEO, ads, loyalty and analytics.
  10. Legal and policy framework. Electronic transaction law, privacy and consumer protection.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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