What is it infrastructure and its components?

Answer 1

Infrastructure is composed of seven major components:

1. Computer hardware platforms

   include client machines and server machines, as well as modern mainframes produced by IBM. Blade serversare ultrathin servers, intended for a single dedicated application, and are mounted in space-saving racks.

2. Operating system platforms

   include platforms for client computers, dominated by Windows operating systems, and servers, dominated by the various forms of the UNIXoperating system or Linux. Operating systems are software that manage the resources and activities of the computer and act as an interface for the user.

3. Enterprise and other software applications

   include SAP, Oracle, and PeopleSoft, and middlewaresoftware that are used to link a firm's existing application systems.

4. Data management and storage

   is handled by database management software and storage devices include traditional storage methods, such as disk arrays and tape libraries, and newer network-based storage technologies such as storage area networks (SANs). SANs connect multiple storage devices on dedicated high-speed networks.

5. Networking and telecommunications platforms

   include Windows server operating systems, Novell, Linux, and UNIX. Nearly all LAN and many wide area networks (WANs) use the TCP/IP standards for networking.

6. Internet platforms

   overlap with, and must relate to, the firm's general networking infrastructure and hardware and software platforms. internet-related infrastructure includes the hardware, software and services to maintain corporate Web sites, intranets, and extranets, including Web Hosting services and Web software application development tools. A Web hosting service maintains a large Web server, or series of servers, and provides fee-paying subscribers with space to maintain their Web sites.

7. Consulting and system integration services

   are relied on for integrating a firm's legacy systemswith new technology and infrastructure and providing expertise in implementing new infrastructure along with relevant changes in business processes, training, and software integration. Legacy systems are generally older transaction processing systems created for mainframe computers that continue to be used to avoid the high cost of replacing or redesigning them.

Answer 2

a. IT infrastructure= the shared technology resources that provide the platform for the firm's specific information system applications.

i. Includes investment in hardware, software, and services (such as consulting, education, & training) that are shared across the entire firm or business.

ii. Provides the foundation for serving customers, working with vendors, and managing internal firm business processes.

b. IT components

iii. Computer hardware platforms

1. Used to provide computing services that connect employees, customers, & suppliers into a coherent digital environment

2. Ex: large mainframes, desktop & laptop computers, internet appliances, etc.

3. Blade servers= ultrathin computers consisting of a circuit board w/ processors, memory, & network connections that are stored in racks.

iv. Enterprise software platforms

4. Application software services that provide enterprise resource planning, customer relationship management, supply chain management, & knowledge management systems that are shared by all business units

v. Networking & telecommunications platforms

5. Provide data, voice, & video connectivity to employees, customers, & suppliers

vi. Database management platforms

6. Store & manage corporate data & provide capabilities for analyzing the data

7. Storage area networks (SANs)= connect multiple storage devices on a separate high-speed network dedicated to storage.

1) Creates a large central pool of storage that can be rapidly accessed & shared by multiple servers.

vii. Internet platforms

viii. Consulting services & systems integrators