Computer Hardware and Network Evolution

Development in Computer Processing

• Memory chips, storage devices, telecommunication, and networking software and hardware contribute to the evolution of computer processing.
• Moore's Law states that the number of transistors on a chip doubles every 18 months, leading to a doubling of computing power and a halving of the price of computing every 18 months.

Technology Drivers of Infrastructure Evolution

• Law of Mass Digital Storage: the amount of data being stored each year doubles.
• Metcalfe's Law and network economics: the value or power of a network grows exponentially as a function of the number of network members.

Declining Communication Costs and the Internet

• The internet has led to a significant decline in communication costs, with internet speeds increasing dramatically since the 1990s (e.g., from 56 kbps to much faster speeds).

Standards and Network Effects

• Technology standards establish the compatibility of products and enable communication in a network, leading to economies of scale and price declines.
• The absence of standards would lead to compatibility issues and increased costs.

IT Infrastructure Components

• The seven main components of IT infrastructure are:
  • Computer hardware platforms (e.g., client machines, servers, mainframes)
  • Operating system platforms (e.g., Unix, Linux, Windows)
  • Enterprise software applications (e.g., SAP, Oracle)
  • Data management and storage
  • Networking/telecommunications platforms
  • Internet platforms
  • Consulting system integration services

Emerging Mobile Digital Platform

• The mobile digital platform consists of:
  • Cell phones, smartphones (e.g., iPhone, Android, Blackberry)
  • Netbooks
  • Tablets (e.g., iPad)
  • Networked e-readers (e.g., Kindle, Nook)
• BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) allows employees to use personal mobile devices in the workplace, leading to the consumerization of IT.

Grid Computing and Virtualization

• Grid computing connects geographically remote computers into a single network to combine processing power and create a virtual supercomputer.
• Virtualization allows a single physical resource to act as multiple resources, reducing hardware and power expenditures.

Open-Source Software and Contemporary Software Trends

• Open-source software is produced by a community of programmers, is free and modifiable, and includes examples like Apache, Mozilla Firefox, and OpenOffice.
• Linux is an open-source operating system used in mobile devices, local area networks, Web servers, and high-performance computing.
• Contemporary software trends include software outsourcing, cloud services, and service-oriented architecture (SOA).

Software for the Web and Mashups

• Java is a leading interactive programming environment for the web, allowing developers to create small applet programs that can be embedded in web pages.
• Mashups combine two or more online applications, such as combining mapping software with local content.

Apps and Dealing with Platform and Infrastructure Change

• Apps are small pieces of software that run on the internet, on computers, or on cell phones, generally delivered over the internet.
• Dealing with platform and infrastructure change requires flexibility and scalability, as well as new policies and procedures for managing new platforms and contractual agreements with firms running clouds and distributing software.

Management and Governance Issues

• Management and governance issues include:
  • Who controls IT infrastructure?
  • How should IT departments be organized?
  • How are costs allocated between divisions and departments?
  • How much to spend on IT is a complex question.