IT Infrastructure Evolution Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is a key driver of infrastructure evolution according to the provided text?

The increasing popularity of mobile devices

The rise of social media

Moore's Law and microprocessing power (correct)

Government regulations on data privacy

What is the main idea behind the 'Law of Mass Digital Storage'?

The cost of digital storage is constantly decreasing.

The amount of data stored annually is doubling. (correct)

Digital storage is becoming more secure and reliable.

The use of cloud storage is rapidly increasing.

What is nanotechnology's role in microprocessing power according to this text?

Nanotechnology helps to increase the speed of data transfer.

Nanotechnology allows for the creation of faster and more powerful servers.

Nanotechnology facilitates the development of more energy-efficient processors.

Nanotechnology enables the shrinking of transistors to a size comparable to a virus. (correct)

What is the primary reason for the dramatic decrease in the cost of chips?

Advancements in production technology and large-scale production runs. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What technological advancement has resulted in the exponential increase in processing power, as mentioned in the text?

The ability to pack billions of transistors into a tiny microprocessor. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the text describe as the fastest growing form of computing?

Cloud computing (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key advantage of using web services for information exchange?

They allow systems to communicate regardless of underlying technology. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of cloud computing that benefits businesses?

It provides access to resources from any location. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Based on the information provided, what is a significant challenge in managing IT infrastructure?

Dealing with the increasing complexity of IT systems (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a component of IT infrastructure, as mentioned in the provided text?

Human resources (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of IT infrastructure?

To support business and information systems strategies (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does 'edge computing' aim to achieve by placing servers at the edge of the Internet?

Minimize delay in data processing and delivery. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does the term "SOA" stand for?

Service-oriented architecture (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary goal of green computing practices in relation to hardware?

Reducing the energy consumption of computing devices. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of XML?

It is a programming language that allows for data manipulation. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a component of IT infrastructure?

Marketing and sales strategies (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'service platform' perspective of IT infrastructure?

Prioritizing the value of investments in IT infrastructure (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining characteristic of open-source software?

It allows users to modify and share the source code freely. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does Dollar Rent a Car use web services?

To provide a standard interface for communicating with other companies' systems. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What programming language is described as object-oriented and independent of operating systems and processors?

Java (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key implication of Figure 5-1 concerning the connection between the firm, IT infrastructure, and business capabilities?

IT infrastructure can directly impact a firm's ability to offer services to customers (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key benefit of software outsourcing?

All of the above (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a feature offered by HTML5?

Developing artificial intelligence algorithms for web applications. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements accurately describes the relationship between the concept of IT infrastructure and business capabilities?

IT infrastructure directly enables and shapes a firm's ability to provide services and innovate (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is a Service Level Agreement (SLA) in the context of cloud-based services?

A formal agreement between a software provider and user outlining service expectations. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common challenge in managing IT infrastructure?

Keeping up with technological advancements and ensuring compatibility (B) Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of software spending by U.S. firms in 2017 was estimated to originate outside the firm?

47% (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Amazon Web Services (AWS) in the cloud computing landscape?

It is the largest cloud computing service provider in the United States. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What type of processors are often employed in high-performance computing to improve performance and energy efficiency?

Multicore processors (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for emphasizing the 'service platform' perspective in IT infrastructure?

To shift the focus from technology to the value it delivers in supporting business operations (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a trend mentioned in the text regarding the evolution of software platforms?

Growing demand for on-premise software solutions. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the relevance of the 'service platform' perspective in analyzing the IT infrastructure evolution?

It shifts the focus from technological advancements to the impact IT evolution has on business capabilities (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following companies are considered to be large providers of enterprise software applications?

SAP (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a type of client machine?

Mainframes (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which company is known for its large data centers?

Google (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a type of operating system?

Apache Hadoop (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between desktop chips and mobile chips?

Desktop chips are more powerful than mobile chips. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a database software provider mentioned in the text?

Dell EMC (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of mainframes?

To handle high-volume transactions for large organizations. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a middleware provider?

IBM (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main problem highlighted by the author when it comes to making wise infrastructure investments?

Under-investment and over-investment can both lead to detrimental outcomes for the business. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the total cost of ownership (TCO) is typically represented by hardware and software?

About 20% (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is NOT mentioned as a factor contributing to the total cost of ownership (TCO)?

Marketing and advertising costs (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the Competitive Forces Model for IT Infrastructure Investment?

To determine the optimal amount of investment in IT infrastructure. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT recommended as a method to reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO)?

Outsourcing all IT infrastructure tasks (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to the task instructions, which of the following is NOT a task assigned to the students?

Analyze the latest trends in artificial intelligence (AI). (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the acronym 'SLA' stand for, as mentioned in the text?

Service Level Agreement (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main objective of visiting the website of Amazon AWS according to the provided instructions?

To learn about cloud computing and its components and access pricing information. (F) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Information Systems: Theory & Practice

TU5: IT Infrastructure and Emerging Technologies, taught by Prof. Dr. Paul Drews.
Course focuses on IT infrastructure and emerging technologies.

Intro Case Study

Case study analyzes challenges and solutions relating to a mobile ride-hailing business.
People: Identifying potential vendors, monitoring customers, and providing service.
Organization: Investing in IT infrastructure and improving business processes. Example: Developing a phone app, using Amazon Redshift, implementing ElastiCache, and utilizing cloud services.
Technology: Implementing a mobile ride booking system and using a ride-booking system.
Business Challenges: Attracting new customers, traffic congestion, and competing with metered taxis.
Business Solutions: Real-time booking, enhanced customer experience, and revenue growth for drivers.

Learning Objectives

Defining IT infrastructure and understanding its stages and drivers of evolution.
Identifying components of IT infrastructure.
Recognizing current trends in computer hardware platforms and software trends.
Understanding the challenges associated with managing IT infrastructure and management solutions.

Agenda

Introduction to IT infrastructure.
Evolution of IT infrastructure.
Technology drivers of the evolution of infrastructure.
Components of IT infrastructure.
Current trends in hardware and software platforms.
Challenges of managing IT infrastructure.

Defining IT Infrastructure

A set of hardware and software needed for a business to operate.
Computing platforms, physical facilities, IT management, education, and services.
A "service platform" perspective on the value of investments is crucial and more accurate.

Connection Between the Firm, IT Infrastructure, and Business Capabilities

IT infrastructure directly affects the services a firm provides. This depends on its infrastructure's ability to support its business and information systems.
New IT technologies impact firm strategy, infrastructure, and the service delivered to customers.

Evolution of IT Infrastructure

1959-present (Mainframe/minicomputer era): IBM introduced the first mainframes, followed by less expensive DEC minicomputers.
1981-present (Personal computer era): IBM PC introduction lead to personal software growth.
1983-present (Client/server era): Desktop clients networked to servers, distributing processing work.
1992-present (Enterprise computing era): Integrating disparate networks/applications/business apps using internet standards.
2000-present (Cloud and mobile computing): Cloud computing delivers computing power and software applications through networks (internet). Fast growth area.

Technology Drivers of Infrastructure Evolution

Moore's Law: Computing power doubles every two years, with transistors shrinking consistently.
Law of Mass Digital Storage: The volume of data stored each year doubles.
Metcalfe's Law: Value increases exponentially with network members.

IT Infrastructure Components

Computer hardware platforms: Client machines (Desktops, laptops, mobile devices). Servers (mainframes).
Operating system platforms: Corporate servers (Windows Server, Unix, Linux), client-level (Microsoft Windows, mobile/multitouch OS, cloud computing platforms).
Enterprise software applications: Largest providers (SAP and Oracle). Middleware vendors (IBM, Oracle).
Data management and storage: Database software providers (IBM DB2, Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, Sybase). Physical data storage for large-scale systems (Dell EMC, Hewlett-Packard).
Networking/telecommunications platforms: Communication services (US: AT&T, Verizon; DE: Telekom, Vodafone). Network operating systems (Windows Server, Linux, Unix). Network hardware vendors (Cisco, Juniper Networks).
Internet platforms: Hardware, software, management for websites and intranets. Web-hosting services. Cabling/wireless. Internet hardware server market providers (IBM, Dell, Oracle, and HP). Web development tool suites (Microsoft, Oracle-Sun, Adobe).
Consulting and system integration services: Leading firms (Accenture, IBM Global Services, HP, Infosys, Wipro Technologies). Supporting legacy systems, software integration.

Current Trends in Hardware Platforms

Mobile digital platform: Smartphones, netbooks, tablet computers, e-book readers, wearable devices.
Consumerization of IT and BYOD: Technology emerges in consumer markets and spreads to businesses; forces businesses to rethink IT acquisition and management approaches.
Quantum computing: Utilizing quantum physics to represent and operate on data; leading to significant increases in computation speeds.
Virtualization: Allows single resource to act as multiple, reducing hardware and power expenditure, facilitating centralization. Software-defined storage (SDS).
Cloud computing: On-demand computing service provided over a network, encompassing Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). Options of public or private cloud. Concerns of reliability and security. Hybrid cloud model.
Edge computing: Servers at internet boundary; reduces latency/network traffic. Green IT; practices/technologies for environmentally responsible manufacturing, use, and disposal of computing/networking hardware. High-performance processors, multiple-core processors, and power-efficient microprocessors.

Current Trends in Software Platforms

Open-source software: Produced by a programmer community, freely modifiable by users; popular examples include Apache web server, Mozilla Firefox, OpenOffice, and Linux.
Software for the Web: (e.g. Java), object-oriented programming language, independent of operating systems and processors. HTML and HTML5 - describing web pages; incorporating media, animation, supporting cross-platform apps; offline data storage. Ruby Python.
Web services: Exchange info using Web standards and languages. XML, a powerful and flexible markup language (allows processing of data automatically)
SOA (Service-oriented architecture): Self-contained services communicating with one another to create applications - and reusable in other combinations. Example: invoice service.
Mashups: Combining two or more online apps (e.g., mapping software with local content). Apps often small; operate across the internet, computers, and mobile devices.
Enterprise applications: Software addressing specific business operations often using specialized platforms. Example: Sales, analytics applications.
Software outsourcing and cloud services: Using external software solutions, cloud-based services, and Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

Challenges of Managing IT Infrastructure

Dealing with platform and infrastructure change: Scalability to meet business needs as firms grow and shrink. Managing mobile computing/cloud computing.
Management and governance: Determine centralized or decentralized approach; allocation of costs between divisions/departments.
Wise infrastructure investment: Balancing under- and over-investment to maintain operational efficiency. Rent-versus-buy analysis for cloud services; total cost of ownership (TCO). Competitor analysis and market demands as part of investments decisions.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the key drivers behind IT infrastructure evolution, including concepts like the Law of Mass Digital Storage, nanotechnology's role in microprocessing, and the advantages of cloud computing. This quiz covers various technological advancements and their impact on information exchange and IT management.