Understanding System Integration

• System integration, also known as IT or software integration, combines software and hardware modules into a unified infrastructure.
• Facilitates smooth data exchange and interaction between subsystems.

Why System Integration Matters

• System integration enhances organizational efficiency, reducing time spent on manual tasks.
• Reduces errors from incomplete data, especially in compliance and reporting.
• Offers a cost-effective alternative to replacing disjointed systems
• System integration improves operational efficiency, enables seamless data flow, reduces redundancy, and centralizes decision-making.

System Integration Types

• These include legacy, enterprise application, third-party, and business-to-business integration.

Legacy System Integration

• Modernizes outdated software by connecting it to newer technologies, avoiding complete replacement.
• An example includes connecting a legacy CRM system to a data warehouse or transportation management system.

Enterprise Application Integration (EAI)

• Unifies different subsystems within a business to automate data exchange.
• Creates a unified ecosystem for accounting, human resources, inventory management, ERP, and CRM systems.

Third-Party System Integration

• Expands the functionality of an existing system by integrating third-party tools.
• Integration with online payment systems is one example.

Business-to-Business Integration

• Connects systems of two or more organizations to automate transactions and document exchange

Ways to Connect Systems

• Include using APIs, middleware, webhooks, and EDI.
• APIs offer a common way to connect systems, enabling data and functionality transmission in a standardized format.
• Middleware glues together distributed systems, handling tasks like data management and API management.
• Webhooks facilitate real-time messages between systems when specific events occur.
• EDI replaces paper documents with a standard electronic format for inter-company business information exchange.

System Integration Methods

• Point-to-point and hub-and-spoke models are among the options.
• Point-to-point integration allows direct connections between systems, but can become complex.
• The hub-and-spoke model uses a central hub to manage connections, but risks becoming a bottleneck.
• Enterprise Service Bus (ESB) architecture connects various systems using a common interface.

Key Steps of System Integration

• Involve planning and feasibility analysis, architecture modeling, testing, and maintenance.
• Planning and analysis includes assessing current systems, defining integration requirements, and determining project scope and cost.
• Architecture modeling involves choosing an integration model and creating detailed blueprints.
• Thorough testing ensures seamless interaction between modules
• Ongoing maintenance includes performance diagnostics and error correction.

Role of System Integrators

• System integrators bridge scattered computer subsystems, ensuring they function together.
• They perform planning, regulation, testing, and maintenance tasks.

Technical Roles for System Integrators

• Analyzing system compatibility, developing middleware and APIs, and ensuring system security.

Project Management Roles

• Planning integration timelines, gathering stakeholder feedback, and monitoring budgets.

Testing and Troubleshooting Roles

• Testing integration accuracy, resolving data mismatches, and addressing performance bottlenecks.

Strategic Advisor Roles

• Recommending integration tools and aligning solutions with organizational goals.

WEEK 2: System Deployment

Software Development Lifecycle

• System deployment involves making a software or hardware system available for real-world use.
• It includes installing, configuring, testing, and maintaining the system.

Deployment vs. Release

• Deployment is the process of installing and configuring released software in a live environment.
• Release refers to making the software available to users or a specific environment.

System Deployment Steps

• Planning and assessment involve defining needs and objectives.
• Development or configuration involves customizing or integrating software.
• Testing and quality assurance guarantee software performance and bug elimination.
• Deployment involves installing the software on appropriate hardware.
• Monitoring and maintenance ensure continued performance and address issues.

Software Deployment Techniques

• Include Big Bang, phased, rolling, blue-green, canary, shadow, and A/B testing deployments.

Big Bang Deployment

• An entire system is deployed at once, immediately replacing the old version.
• It is quick and simple, but risky due to potential failures affecting the entire system.

Phased Deployment

• The system is deployed gradually to different user groups.
• It reduces risk and allows for easier rollbacks but requires more management effort.

Rolling Deployment

• New software updates are deployed incrementally across servers, ensuring continuous availability.
• Achieves no downtime and easy rollbacks, ideal for cloud architectures.

Blue-Green Deployment

• Maintains two identical environments, switching traffic from one to the other.
• It allows for zero downtime and instant rollbacks but needs double the infrastructure.

Canary Deployment

• A small user percentage receives the new version initially, expanding if no issues arise.
• It reduces risk and allows real-world feedback but requires traffic management.

Shadow Deployment

• A new software version runs parallel to the existing one without serving live user traffic.
• Does not disrupt users and helps detect performance issues, but requires additional infrastructure.

A/B Testing Deployment

• Compares two or more application versions to determine which performs better.
• An example: users are randomly assigned to Version A (current version) or Version B (new version), then user behavior is analyzed to assess which performs better
• It enables data-driven decisions and optimizes user experience but requires analytics tools.

WEEK 3: Embedded System

Embedded System Basics

• Embedded systems are specialized computing devices performing specific tasks within a larger system.
• Unlike general-purpose computers, they are dedicated to particular applications.
• The embedded systems can function independently or within larger systems.
• Components include hardware, software, and firmware.

Characteristics of Embedded Systems

• Embedded systems perform specific tasks, have low cost, are time-specific, power-efficient, and highly efficient.
• Minimal user interface, less human intervention, high stability and reliability are also features.

Types of Embedded System

• Standalone systems operate independently without needing a host computer or network connection.
• Real-time systems respond to inputs within predetermined time constraints.
• Networked systems connect to a network to communicate with other devices.
• Mobile systems are portable and designed for mobile applications.

Advantages and Disadvantages

• Features include compact and efficient design, low power consumption, cost-effectiveness, reliability, and real-time operations.
• Limited flexibility, complex development, difficult maintenance, and limited resources are disadvantages.

Components of Embedded Systems

• Include a power supply, microcontroller, memory, timer/counter, communication interface, and input/output.

Power Supply

• Powers the electrical load of the embedded system, typically requiring 5V but ranging from 1.8V to 3.3V.

Microcontroller

• Provides computing power as an integrated circuit.

Memory

• Includes RAM for temporary information storage and ROM for storing the program code.

Timer and Counter

• Timers create delays, while counters track the number of occurrences of an event.

Communication Interface

• Establishes communication with other embedded systems, using ports like USB and I2C.

Input / Output

• Sensors provide input, with the microcontroller configurable as either an input or output port.

Hardware Electrical Circuit

• PCBs support the electrical circuit of the embedded system, linking components electronically with conductive traces.

Resistor

• Produces resistance to current flow, adjusting signal levels.

Capacitor

• Stores and releases energy.

Diode

• Allows current flow in only one direction.

Transistor

• Used for switching and amplification.

Integrated Circuit

• Combines numerous electrical components within one chip, simplifying integration.

Light-Emitting Diode

• Indicates whether the circuit is working properly.

Inductor

• Stores energy in an electric field and blocks alternating current.

Software Components of Embedded Systems

• Required to build an embedded system include a text editor, compiler, assembler, emulator, link editor, and debugger.

Text Editor

• Used to write source code in C and C++ programming languages.

Assembler

• Translates assembly language programs into HEX code.

Debugger

• Scans the code thoroughly to remove errors and bugs.

Basic Components of Embedded Systems

• Ultrasonic distance sensors are used to measure an object's distance
• Servos for precise motor movement
• LCDs (16x2) to display text
• Potentiometers as variable resistors
• Arduino Uno and IDE are used for programming with C/C++.