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Chapter 7 : Deployment, Operations, and Future Work


As part of my final-year BS Information Technology thesis, this chapter describes the deployment strategy, operational activities, support plans, recovery mechanisms, and future work for the “Professional Hub” project. It ensures that the system is not only functional during development but also sustainable, scalable, and secure when moved to a real-world environment.

7.1 Deployment

Deployment is the final stage in the system development lifecycle. A well-defined deployment plan ensures that the solution transitions smoothly from development to production.

The system is developed using ASP.NET with C# and supported by MS SQL Server as the backend database. It will be hosted on a centralized server under a single domain name and made available to professionals across Pakistan.

7.1.1 Seats

The solution will initially be deployed on one central server, with growth being monitored continuously. Based on performance and user demand, resources will be scaled accordingly.

7.1.2 Components

To support the solution, the server environment must provide:

  • IIS (latest version) for web hosting.

  • MS SQL Server for data storage and management.

  • Control panels and server management tools for monitoring and configuration.

All components will be deployed simultaneously to ensure seamless operation.

7.2 Operational Activities

This section outlines the key operational tasks that ensure smooth system functioning.

7.2.1 Systems Management

Operational activities include:

  • Backup and recovery

  • Regular maintenance

  • Monitoring system performance

  • Securing the system

7.2.2 Backup and Recovery

A tested backup strategy will be in place to safeguard both application files and database data. In case of failure, documented recovery procedures will ensure minimal downtime.

7.2.2.1 Maintenance

  • Managed by a dedicated system administration team.

  • Downtime during upgrades will be minimized (approx. 5 minutes).

  • Restricted NTFS permissions and auditing will prevent unauthorized access.

7.2.2.2 Monitoring the System

  • The system will rely on IIS + ASP.NET + MS SQL Server running on Windows Server 2008 R2.

  • IIS offers scalability, security, and monitoring tools that ensure stable system operations.

7.2.2.3 Securing the System

Security measures include:

  • Authentication (Anonymous, Basic, Windows, UNC, Certificate, .NET Passport).

  • Modules for HTTP, security filtering, caching.

  • Firewalls and anti-malware support.

7.2.2.4 Capacity Planning

  • Designed for 4000 concurrent users at peak load.

  • Deployed on multi-core processors (4–8 cores) and 256–512 GB RAM.

  • Each page estimated at ~20 KB, requiring high bandwidth.

7.2.2.5 Configuration Management

Regular audits will ensure:

  • Latest patches and updates.

  • Secure services and protocols.

  • Strong password policies and account monitoring.

  • Logging, auditing, and caching strategies.

7.3 Configuration Status Accounting, Verification, and Auditing

Configuration management will follow Software Configuration Management (SCM) standards. Audits and reviews will validate:

  • Adherence to SCM policies.

  • Updated procedures and documentation.

  • Proper training for support staff.

  • Compliance with quality assurance standards.

7.4 Site Installation Process

Deployment requires:

  • Copying application files to the production server.

  • Configuring virtual directories.

  • Database connectivity setup.

7.4.1 Validation

The application will be tested on the production server to confirm functionality.

7.4.2 Install Hardware and Software

  • Architecture: x86

  • Server OS: Windows Server 2008

  • Database: MS SQL Server 2008

7.4.3 Verify Solution

End-users and testers will validate full functionality against the requirements document.

7.4.4 User Activation

Users will register online to create unique digital profiles.

7.5 Stabilizing

System stability will be ensured through:

7.5.1 Monitoring for Defects

Defects will be logged, tracked, and resolved, with reports generated for quality assurance.

7.5.2 Satisfaction Survey

User surveys will measure overall satisfaction and identify areas for improvement.

7.6 Transfer of Operations

Once testing is complete, responsibilities shift to the site administrator.

7.6.1 Reporting and Monitoring

Admins will actively monitor system operations.

7.6.2 Log Books

All transactions will be logged in the DBMS for security and audit purposes.

7.7–7.11 Backup, Recovery, and Support

  • Backup Strategies: Media-based backups (disk, tape, remote storage).

  • Failover Support: Hot standby and spare systems for high availability.

  • System Recovery: Restores system files, drivers, and registry.

  • Data Recovery: Recovers from physical/logical failures using imaging techniques.

  • Support Plans: Training, help desk, crisis resolution teams, and vendor support.

7.12 Future Work

Technology evolves continuously, and so must this project. Future enhancements include:

  1. New Interface – Redesigning the UI to avoid user fatigue.

  2. Multiple File Uploads – Allowing batch uploads.

  3. New Games – Adding social gaming to engage users.

  4. Enhanced Advertising Support – Increasing ad slots for revenue.

  5. Advanced Search – Searching posts, documents, and comments.

  6. Photo Tagging – Tagging users in uploaded photos, similar to Facebook.

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