Target Skill:

List the BillerXpert components and identify the function of each  

How BillerXpert Works (Tier 3 and 4)

Application Server Tier

BillerXpert uses Netscape Application Server (NAS) Version 2.1, Service Pack 3 or 4. BillerXpert gains the following features by basing its design on NAS: 
  • Dynamic load balancing 
  • Fail-safe roll-over 
  • Security 
  • High-performance data access engine 
  • Connection pooling & results caching 

  • Multi-threaded development 
Netscape Application Server supports distribution of requests from many web servers to a cluster of application servers. NAS consolidates and services these requests by interfacing efficiently with the data repositories, such as Oracle, Netscape Directory Server, and various external sources. 

BillerXpert stencils are implemented through AppLogics, which are sets of programming instructions that accomplish a well-defined, modular task within the application. AppLogic objects run on NAS and are managed and hosted by it. 

The Application Server Tier includes a number of important integration components, such Payment Services Abstraction Layer (PSAL) and the BillerXpert Data Loading Service.  This tier also includes the RealMedia Open AdStream Server as an optional component For creating directed marketing materials based on customer profiles, . 

Data Server Tier

The Data Server tier includes two components
  • Netscape Directory Server 4.0 provides a data store optimized for reading and verifying relatively static information, such as user profile information. Netscape Directory Server 4.0 supports the industry-standard Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) and certificate-based authentication and data encryption.

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  • Oracle 7.3.4 provides a relational database optimized for writing client and biller data that changes frequently, such as account balances or payment history. Oracle supports real-time, fail-safe transaction processing and advanced NAS features. A single Oracle user is used for all transactions between BillerXpert and Oracle. Authentication is provided at the application level. User access to Oracle data is provided by BillerXpert authentication, which identifies each user and controls access to each user’s private information. 

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