--- title: "IRC, FoIP; e-commerce building blocks" subject: "Internet and Intranet" chapter: 7 key: "semester_8/internet_and_intranet:irc-foip-ecommerce-blocks" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/internet_and_intranet/irc-foip-ecommerce-blocks site: BCT Engineering --- # IRC, FoIP; e-commerce building blocks Internet and Intranet · Chapter 7: Internet and Intranet Applications - Asked in: 2072 Asoj, 4+6 marks - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/internet_and_intranet/irc-foip-ecommerce-blocks - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_8/internet_and_intranet/chapter-7 ## Question What do you mean by IRC and FoIP? Discuss in detail about the building blocks of e-commerce. ## 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. ## Answer #### 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 ```text 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. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. How do users communicate in IRC? A. They send e-mail to an SMTP server B. They connect with a client to an IRC server and join channels (e.g. #nepal) for group chat or send private messages C. They place voice calls through a PBX D. They upload files to a web server Answer: B. IRC is real-time text chat using clients, servers and #channels over TCP (usually port 6667). (Key point: IRC) 2. Which pairing of FoIP standards is correct? A. T.37 is real-time; T.38 is store-and-forward by e-mail B. T.37 is store-and-forward by e-mail; T.38 is real-time C. Both are only store-and-forward D. Both are used for voice calls Answer: B. T.37 is store-and-forward via e-mail and T.38 is real-time fax over UDP/TCP, with a fax gateway converting fax to digital data. (Key point: FoIP standards) 3. What is the role of the shopping cart in e-commerce? A. It encrypts the card number B. It collects the chosen items and calculates price, tax and shipping C. It ships the goods to the customer D. It stores the customer's passwords Answer: B. The cart gathers selected items and computes price, tax and shipping, before the payment system takes over. (Key point: Shopping cart and payment) 4. Why is network infrastructure called the foundation of e-commerce? A. It designs the product catalogue B. It provides internet, servers, hosting and bandwidth on which every other block runs C. It handles returns D. It sets consumer protection law Answer: B. Internet, LAN, servers, hosting and ISPs underlie the storefront, payments and all other blocks. (Key point: Network infrastructure block) ## Related in Internet and Intranet - [Design network for two buildings with fiber](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Finternet_and_intranet%3Anetwork-design-guidelines-two-buildings) — Internet and Intranet, chapter 5 ## Related in other subjects - [Problem statement and UML building blocks](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fobject_oriented_analysis_and_design%3Aresult-management-problem-statement-uml-blocks) — Object Oriented Analysis and Design, chapter 2 - [Importance of signaling; SS7 building blocks](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Ftelecommunications%3Asignaling-importance-ss7-blocks) — Telecommunications, chapter 5 - [SS7 building blocks and links](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Ftelecommunications%3Ass7-building-blocks-links) — Telecommunications, chapter 5 - [Project life cycles in detail](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aproject-life-cycles) — ICT Project Management, chapter 4