IT Infrastructure Overview and Evolution

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Questions and Answers

What era marked the introduction of IBM's first mainframes?

1981

1965

1958 (correct)

1992

Which era is characterized by the splitting of processing work between clients and servers?

Enterprise computing era

Personal computer era

Client/server era (correct)

Cloud and mobile computing

What is the fastest-growing form of computing as of 2000?

Cloud computing (correct)

Personal computing

Enterprise computing

Mainframe computing

What is the role of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) in cloud-based software services?

They are agreements that set performance standards between service providers and customers. Signup and view all the answers

Which development in IT infrastructure occurred during the 1980s and 1990s?

Growth of personal software Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a mashup?

A website that combines Google Maps with a store locator. Signup and view all the answers

What best describes the main focus of the enterprise computing era?

Integration using Internet standards Signup and view all the answers

What does scalability refer to in the context of IT infrastructure?

The capability to accommodate a growing number of users. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a multitiered client/server network?

Client requests handled by different levels of servers Signup and view all the answers

How are apps generally delivered?

Over the internet. Signup and view all the answers

Which computing era directly succeeded the personal computer era?

Client/server era Signup and view all the answers

What is software outsourcing?

Contracting external firms to create software solutions. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of cloud computing that requires new policies?

It necessitates new management for service agreements. Signup and view all the answers

What significant change occurred in the IT infrastructure with the introduction of the cloud computing era?

Computing power provided over the Internet Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of having flexible IT needs in an organization?

It enables IT to adapt to organizational growth or shrinkage. Signup and view all the answers

Who typically controls an organization's IT infrastructure?

The IT department along with management. Signup and view all the answers

What best defines IT infrastructure?

A set of physical devices and software required to run an enterprise. Signup and view all the answers

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

Employee training and development programs. Signup and view all the answers

How does IT infrastructure affect business capabilities?

The services a firm can offer are directly influenced by its IT infrastructure. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of IT infrastructure includes application software services?

Firm-wide services. Signup and view all the answers

What does a 'service platform' perspective indicate regarding IT investments?

It provides a more accurate view of the value of investments. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered a technology driver in IT infrastructure evolution?

Virtualization technologies. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common challenge faced in managing IT infrastructure?

Integrating new technology with existing systems. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following services is NOT typically included in IT infrastructure?

Marketing strategies. Signup and view all the answers

What does Moore's Law state about computing power?

Computing power doubles every 18 months. Signup and view all the answers

What is the implication of Metcalfe's Law in network economics?

The value of a network grows exponentially as the number of members increases. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Law of Mass Digital Storage?

The amount of data being stored each year doubles. Signup and view all the answers

How do technology standards affect market dynamics?

They promote compatibility and can lead to price declines. Signup and view all the answers

What is a major component of IT infrastructure?

Networking/telecommunications platforms Signup and view all the answers

What role does nanotechnology play in infrastructure evolution?

It shrinks the size of transistors. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the effect of increasing network members according to Metcalfe's Law?

More people want to use the network, increasing demand. Signup and view all the answers

Which component is NOT part of the seven main components of IT infrastructure?

Social media platforms Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant advantage of green computing?

Reduces the environmental impact of computing and networking hardware Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes autonomic computing?

An industry-wide initiative to create self-managing systems Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes open-source software?

It can be modified and shared freely by users Signup and view all the answers

What does SOA stand for, and what does it represent?

Service-oriented architecture; a set of self-contained services for application development Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of XML in web services?

To allow flexible data exchange using tag-based language Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true about high-performance, power-saving processors?

They include multi-core technology Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of Java in web development?

To enable operating system and processor independence for application development Signup and view all the answers

How does Dollar Rent A Car utilize web services?

To connect with airlines and enhance booking systems Signup and view all the answers

What does HTML5 notably support compared to its predecessors?

Advanced video processing and animation Signup and view all the answers

What are the typical concerns associated with IT investments?

Security, reliability, and ongoing maintenance costs Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

IT Infrastructure Definition

IT infrastructure is the foundation of a business, encompassing physical devices and software necessary for operations.
Provides a range of services including computing, telecommunications, data storage, application software, physical facilities, and IT management.
A "service platform" perspective emphasizes the value of these investments.
IT infrastructure directly supports business capabilities, enabling a company to provide offerings to customers, suppliers, and employees.

Evolution of IT Infrastructure

Mainframe and Minicomputer Era (1959 - Present):
- Began with the introduction of IBM mainframes in 1958.
- Less expensive DEC minicomputers were launched in 1965.
Personal Computer Era (1981 - Present):
- Marked by the introduction of the IBM PC in 1981.
- Proliferation of personal computers in the 1980s and 1990s fueled the growth of personal software.
Client/Server Era (1983 - Present):
- Desktop clients connected to servers, dividing processing tasks between them.
- Network architecture can be two-tiered or multi-tiered (N-tiered).
- Different server types include network, application, and web servers.
Enterprise Computing Era (1992 - Present):
- Focused on integrating disparate networks and applications using internet standards and enterprise applications.
Cloud and Mobile Computing (2000 - Present):
- Cloud computing provides computing power and software applications through the internet or other networks.
- Represents the fastest-growing form of computing.

Multitiered Client/Server Network (N-Tier)

In a multitiered client/server network, different server tiers handle client service requests.

Drivers of IT Infrastructure Evolution

Moore's Law and Microprocessing Power:
- Computing power doubles every 18 months due to Moore's Law.
- Nanotechnology shrinks the size of transistors, enabling miniaturization.
Law of Mass Digital Storage:
- The amount of data being stored doubles each year.
Metcalfe's Law and Network Economics:
- The value or power of a network grows exponentially with the number of network members.
Standards and Network Effects:
- Technology standards facilitate compatibility and communication within a network.
- Unleash economies of scale and price reductions as manufacturers focus on a single standard.

Essential IT Infrastructure Components

Computer Hardware Platforms:
- Include physical devices like servers, workstations, laptops, tablets, and peripherals.
Operating System Platforms:
- Software that manages the computer hardware and provides a platform for other software to run.
- Examples include Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android.
Enterprise Software Applications:
- Software designed to support business processes within an organization.
- Includes CRM, ERP, supply chain management, and more.
Data and Storage:
- Data stored on various mediums such as hard drives, cloud storage, and tape libraries.
Networking/Telecommunications Platforms:
- Enables communication between computers and devices across the network.
- Includes wired and wireless networks, networking hardware, and telecommunications services.
Internet Platforms:
- Technologies used for connecting to the internet.

Contemporary Hardware Platform Trends

Green Computing:
- Focuses on environmentally friendly manufacturing, use, and disposal of computing and networking hardware.
- Reduces the impact of technology on the environment.
High-Performance, Power-Saving Processors:
- Multi-core processors provide increased performance and energy efficiency.
Autonomic Computing:
- Develops systems that self-configure, heal themselves, and protect against external threats.

Contemporary Software Platform Trends

Open-Source Software:
- Software developed by a community of programmers and freely available with modification rights.
- Examples include Apache web server, Mozilla Firefox browser, and OpenOffice.
Linux:
- Open-source operating system used in mobile devices, local area networks, web servers, and high-performance computing.
Software for the Web:
- Java: Object-oriented programming language independent of operating system and processor..
- HTML/HTML5: Web page description language for text and graphic placement.
  - HTML5 incorporates animation and video processing capabilities.
Web Services:
- Software components that exchange information using web standards and languages.
- XML (Extensible Markup Language):
  - More powerful than HTML, allowing computers to process data automatically using tags.
SOA (Service-Oriented Architecture):
- Collection of self-contained services that communicate to create software applications.
- Allows for service reusability, enabling developers to assemble applications as needed.
- Example: Dollar Rent A Car uses web services to link its online booking system with Southwest Airlines' website.
Software Outsourcing and Cloud Services:
- Software Outsourcing: Contracting external firms to develop software.
- Cloud-Based Software Services (SaaS):
  - Software accessed through a web browser over the internet.
  - Uses Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for formal agreements with service providers.
Mashups:
- Combinations of online applications, such as integrating mapping software (Google Maps) with store locators on shopping sites.
Apps:
- Small pieces of software running on the internet, computers, or cell phones.
- Examples include iPhone and Android apps.
- Often delivered over the internet.

IT Infrastructure Management Challenges

Platform and Infrastructure Change:
- Requires flexibility and scalability to adapt to changes and growth.
- Scalability: The ability to expand and serve a larger number of users.
- New policies and procedures are necessary for managing mobile computing and cloud platforms.
- Contractual agreements with cloud providers and software distributors are required.
Management and Governance:
- Considerations include:
  - Who controls IT infrastructure?
  - How should the IT department be structured?
  - How to ensure alignment of IT with business goals.

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Description

Explore the key concepts of IT infrastructure, including its definition, components, and importance in modern businesses. This quiz also covers the historical evolution from mainframes to personal computers and beyond, highlighting significant milestones in technology development.