8 Questions
What are the components of IT infrastructure?
Networking/telecommunications platforms
Define IT Infrastructure.
IT Infrastructure is the set of physical devices and software required to operate an enterprise, including firm-wide services such as computing platforms, physical facilities management services, and IT management services.
What are the current trends in computer hardware platforms?
Cloud computing
Give examples of Linux and open-source software mentioned in the text.
Examples include Apache web server, Mozilla Firefox browser, OpenOffice, Linux
What is SOA an abbreviation for?
Service-Oriented Architecture
In governance, a centralized IT department makes decisions.
True
Under-investment and over-investment can hamper firm performance. Rent-versus-buy and _______ are factors to consider.
outsourcing
Match the following software platforms with their primary usage:
Java Virtual Machine = Web browsers Ruby and Python = Software for the web XML: Extensible Markup Language = Web services
Study Notes
IT Infrastructure and Emerging Technologies
Defining IT Infrastructure
- Set of physical devices and software required to operate an enterprise
- Firm-wide services including computing platforms, physical facilities management, IT management, education, and other services
- "Service platform" perspective: a more accurate view of the value of investments
Evolution of IT Infrastructure
- General-purpose mainframe and minicomputer era: 1959 to present
- Personal computer era: 1981 to present
- Client/server era: 1983 to present
- Enterprise computing era: 1992 to present
- Cloud and mobile computing: 2000 to present
Technology Drivers of Infrastructure Evolution
- Moore's Law and microprocessing power: computing power doubles every 2 years
- Law of Mass Digital Storage: amount of data being stored each year doubles
- Metcalfe's Law and network economics: value or power of a network grows exponentially as a function of the number of network members
Components of IT Infrastructure
- Computer hardware platforms
- Operating system platforms
- Enterprise software applications
- Data management and storage
- Networking/telecommunications platforms
- Internet platforms
- Consulting system integration services
Computer Hardware Platforms
- Client machines: desktop PCs, laptops, mobile devices, and wearable devices
- Servers: mainframes, digital workhorse for banking and telecommunications networks
Operating System Platforms
- Corporate servers: Windows Server, Unix, Linux
- Client level: Microsoft Windows, Android, iOS, Windows 10 (mobile/multitouch), Google's Chrome OS (cloud computing)
Enterprise Software Applications
- In 2018, firms spent $389 billion on software for enterprise applications
- Largest providers: SAP and Oracle
- Middleware providers: IBM, Oracle
Data Management and Storage
- Database software providers: IBM (DB2), Oracle, Microsoft (SQL Server), Sybase (Adaptive Server Enterprise), MySQL, Apache Hadoop
- Physical data storage for large-scale systems: Dell EMC, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (H3C)
Networking/Telecommunications Platforms
- Network operating systems: Windows Server, Linux, Unix
- Network hardware providers: Cisco, Juniper Networks
- Telecommunication services: phone lines, Internet access, AT&T, Verizon
Internet Platforms
- Hardware, software, management services to support company websites, intranets
- Internet hardware server market: IBM, Dell, Oracle, HP
- Web development tools/suites: Microsoft (Visual Studio and .NET), Oracle-Sun (Java), Adobe
Consulting and System Integration Services
- Leading consulting firms: Accenture, IBM Global Services, HP, Infosys, Wipro Technologies
- Software integration: ensuring new infrastructure works with legacy systems
- Legacy systems: older TPS created for mainframes that would be too costly to replace or redesign
Computer Hardware Trends
- Mobile digital platform: smartphones, netbooks, tablet computers, digital e-book readers, wearable devices
- Consumerization of IT and BYOD (bring your own device)
- Quantum computing: uses quantum physics to represent and operate on data
- Virtualization: allows single physical resource to act as multiple resources
- Cloud computing: on-demand computing services obtained over network
- Edge computing: servers at the edge of the Internet, reducing latency and network traffic
- Green computing (Green IT): practices and technologies for manufacturing, using, disposing of computing and networking hardware
This quiz covers the basics of IT infrastructure and emerging technologies in the context of Management Information Systems (MIS). It is based on Chapter 5 of the 16th edition of the textbook 'Managing the Digital Firm'.
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