What Is IT Infrastructure and What Are Its Components
What Is IT Infrastructure and What Are Its Components
Linux is the most well-known open-source software. It’s a UNIX-like operating system
that can be downloaded from the Internet, free of charge, or purchased for a small fee
from companies that provide additional tools for the software.
Businesses can choose from a range of open-source software including operating
systems, office suites, Web browsers and games Open source software allows
businesses to reduce the total 1-25 browsers, games. Open-cost of ownership. It
provides more robust software that’s often more secure than proprietary software.
4.2 Define Java and Ajax and explain why they are important.
Java: is a programming language that delivers only the software functionality needed
for a particular task. With Java, the programmer writes small programs called applets
that can run on another machine on a network. With Java, programmers write programs
that can execute on a variety of operating systems and environments. It is important
because of the dramatic growth of Web applications. also it is an operating system-
independent, processor-independent, object-oriented programming language that can
run on multiple hardware platforms. It provides a standard format for data exchange on
Web sites.
Ajax: is short for Asynchronous JavaScript and XML. It allows a client and server to
exchange small pieces of data behind the scene so that an entire Web page does not
have to be reloaded each time the user requests a change. It’s another Web
development technique for creating interactive Web applications that make it easier and
more efficient for Web site users to complete forms and other interactive features.
4.3 Define and describe Web services and the role played by XML.
Web services offer a standardized alternative for dealing with integration across various
computer platforms. Web services are loosely coupled software components based on XML and
open Web standards that are not product specific and can work with any application software and
operating system. They can be used as components of Web-based applications linking the
systems of two different organizations or to link disparate systems of a single company. Web
services are not tied to a particular operating system or programming language. Different
applications can use them to communicate with each other in a standard way without time-
consuming custom coding.
XML provides a standard format for data exchange, enabling Web services to pass data from one
process to another
Businesses use Web services to tie their Web sites with external Web sites creating an apparently
seamless experience for users. The benefit derives from not having to re-create applications for
each business partner or specific functions within a single company.
4.4 Name and describe the three external sources for software.
Software packages from a commercial software vendor: prewritten commercially available set of
software programs that eliminates the need for a firm to write its own software program for
certain functions, such as payroll processing or order handling. Software-as-a-service: a business
that delivers and manages applications and computer services from remote computer centers to
multiple users using the Internet or a private network. Instead of buying and installing software
programs, subscribing companies can rent the same functions from these services. Users pay for
the use of this software either on a subscription or a per-transaction basis. The business must
carefully assess the costs and benefits of the service, weighing all people, organizational, and
technology issues. It must ensure it can integrate the software with its existing systems and
deliver a level of service and performance that is acceptable for the business.
Outsourcing custom application development: an organization contracts its custom software
development or maintenance of existing legacy programs to outside firms, frequently firms that
operate offshore in low-wage areas of the world An outsourcer often has the technical and
management skills to do the job better, faster, and more efficiently. to outsource the maintenance
of an IT infrastructure and the development of new systems to external vendors, a business must
weight the pros and cons carefully. Service level agreements are formal contracts between
customers and service providers that define the specific responsibilities of the service provider
and the level of service expected by the customer.
Mashups are new software applications and services based on combining different online
software applications using high-speed data networks, universal communication standards, and
open-source code. Entrepreneurs are able to create new software applications and services based
on combining different online software applications. The idea is to take different sources and
produce a new work that is “greater than” the sum of its parts. Web mashups combine the
capabilities of two or more online applications to create a kind of hybrid that provides more
customer value than the original sources alone.
Apps are small pieces of software that run on the Internet, on your computer, or on your cell
phone and are generally delivered over the Internet. Google refers to its online services as apps,
including the Google Apps suite of desktop productivity tools. But when we talk about apps
today, most of the attention goes to the apps that have been developed for the mobile digital
Platform. It is these apps that turn smart phones and other mobile handheld devices into general-
purpose computing tools. Most of these apps are for the iPhone, Android, and BlackBerry
operating system platforms. Many are free or purchased for a small charge, much less than
conventional software.
Mashups let a business combine previously developed Web applications into new ones with new
purposes. They don’t have to re-invent the previous applications from scratch—merely use them
in the new processes.
Making wise infrastructure investments: IT infrastructure is a major capital investment for the
firm. If too much is spent on infrastructure, it lies idle and constitutes a drag on firm financial
performance. If too little is spent, important business services cannot be delivered and the firm’s
competitors will outperform the under investing firm
Dealing with scalability and technology change: as firms grow, they can quickly outgrow their
infrastructure. As firms shrink, they can get stuck with excessive infrastructure purchased in
better times. Scalability refers to the ability of a computer, product, or system to expand to serve
a larger number of users without breaking down.
Management and governance: involves who will control and manage the firm’s IT
infrastructure.
5.2 Explain how using a competitive forces model and calculating the TCO of technology
assets help firms make infrastructure investments
The competitive forces model can be used to determine how much to spend on IT infrastructure
and where to make strategic infrastructure investments, starting out new infrastructure initiatives
with small experimental pilot projects and establishing the total cost of ownership of information
technology assets.
The total cost of owning technology resources includes not only the original cost of acquiring
and installing hardware and software, but it also includes the ongoing administration costs for
hardware and upgrades, maintenance, technical support, training, and even utility and real estate
costs for running and housing the technology. The TCO model can be used to analyze these
direct and indirect costs to help firms determine the actual cost of specific technology
implementations.