IS chapter 5

Three Basic Types

--Centralized --Decentralized --Distributed

Decentralized

-each user, department, division has its own computer for prossecing

Virtualization

-is the process of presenting a set of computing resources (such as computing power or data storage) so that they can all be accessed in ways that are not restricted by physical configuration or geographic location.

Web Hosting Service

-maintains a large web server, or a series of servers, and provides fee-paying subscribers with space to maintain their websites.

Cache memory

- a type of high-speed memory that the CPU can access more rapidly than main memory (RAM); used to store recently accessed or frequently accessed data and instructions

Solid State Drives

--Use an array of semiconductors --Direct (random) or sequential access --Less susceptible to physical shock, are quieter, faster access times --More expensive than magnetic disks (about 7 to 8 times as expensive)

Operating System

--the system software that manages and controls the computer's activities. -chief manager, enabling the system to handle many tasks and user at the same time. -allocates and assigns system resources and computer jobs, and monitors computer system activities. -provides locations in primary memory for data and programs and controls the input and output of devices, such as printers, terminals, and telecommunication links. -coordinates the scheduling of work in various areas of the computer so that different parts of different jobs can be worked on simultaneously

Client/server computers

-A model for a computer that splits the processing between clients and servers on network, assigning functions to the machine most able to perform the function.

computer Hardware

-EX. Large mainframes, servers, desktop, and laptop computers, and mobile devices for accessing corporate data and the internet.

Supercomputer

-More sophisticated computer used for tasks requiring extremely rapid and complex calculations with thousands of variables, millions of measurement --Parallel Processing: the ability to run two or more tasks simultaneously by using multiple processors linked to operate together

Distributed

-Processing power is distributed among several locations; multiple computers are linked by a communications network for processing

Major IT infrastructure components

-Software -Computer hardware -Data management technology

Service level agreement (SLA)

-The SLA is a formal contract between customers and their service providers that defines the specific responsibilities of the service provider and the level of service the customer expects.

Byte

-a group of 8 or 16 bits representing one natural language character

Bit

-a single )or !, the smallest unit of data that a computer can process

Flash Memory

-a special type of semi-conductor memory that is portable, non-volatile and can be electronically erased & rewritten to

Application Software

-applies the computer to a specific task for an end user, such as processing an order or generating a mailing list. Today, most system and application software is no longer custom programmed, but rather is purchased from outside vendors.

Storage area networks (SAN)

-are high-speed networks dedicated to storage that connect different kinds of storage devices, such as tape libraries and disk arrays, so they can be shared by multiple servers

Web Services

-are loosely coupled software components based on open Web standards that 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.

Issues in managing HW and SW

-capacity planning & scalability -Determining costs- total cost of ownership --Using technology service providers ---Outsourcing ---Cloud services -managing mobile platforms & BYOD -managing SW localization for global business

Hybrid Cloud

-computing model, in which they use their own infrastructure for their most essential core activities and adopt public cloud computing for less-critical systems or for additional processing capacity during peak business periods

Secondary memory/storage

-consists of equipment designed to store large volumes of data for long-term storage -Nonvolatile - is used to permanently store information; comes in many types -Offers greater capacity & greater economy Issues: --Access method --Storage capacities --Portability --Cost

Hardware

-consists of the physical devices associated with a computer system; technology to support system activities of input, processing, output and storage --Central processing unit (CPU) --Primary storage --Secondary storage --Input Devices --Output devices --Communication

Challenges for managing IT infrastructure

-for companies with global operations, managing software localization -Managing capacity planning and scalability so that the firm has enough computing power for its current and future needs -Balancing the costs and benefits of building and maintaining the firm's own hardware and software versus outsourcing or using an on-demand computing model

Cloud-based software services

-instead of buying & installing software programs, subscribing companies rent the same functions from these services, with users paying either on subscription or per-transaction

Data Center

-is a facility housing computer systems and associated components such as telecommunications, storage, security systems and back up power supplies

mainframe

-is a large-capacity, high-performance computer that can process large amount if data rapidly

Linux

-is an operating system created by the open source community

Java

-is an operating-system and hardware-independent programming language that is the leading interactive programming environment for the Web

IT infrastructure

-is the shared technology resources that provide the platform for the firm's specific information system applications --Computer Hardware --Computer software --Data management technology --Networking and telecommunications technology --Technology services

Grid Computing

-power of geography remote computers connected into single network to act as "Virtual Supercomputer" -connecting different computers to combine their processing power to solve a particular problem

Centralized

-processing is done by one large central computer

Open source software

-provides all computer users with free access to its program code, so they can modify the code to fix errors or to make improvements Ex. Linux, Mozila Firefox

Scalability

-refers to the ability of a computer, product, or system to expand to serve a large number of users without breaking down.

Random access memory (RAM)

-the computer's primary working memory; used to store program instructions & data that can be accessed directly by the CPU via the processor's high-speed data bus

Cloud-based software service

-the data it uses are hosted on powerful servers in massive data centers, and can be accessed with an Internet connection and standard Web browser

Bus width

-the size of the pathway along which signals are sent from one part of the computer to another

World length

-the unit of data used by a particular processor design; the number of bits that are handles as a unit by the processor: 32 bit vs. 64 bit

Server (computer)

-this is necessary when a business has a number of networked computers or maintains a website -specifically optimized to support a computer network, enabling users to share files, software, peripheral devices (such as printers), or other network resources.

Offshore software outsourcing

-when firms outsource software work outside their national borders.

The graphical user interface (GUI)

-which makes extensive use of icons, buttons, bars, and boxes to perform tasks.

811==

8 11

Grid Computing

involves connecting geographically remote computers into a single network and combining the computational power of all computers on the grid

Capacity planning

is the process of predicting when a computer hardware system becomes saturated

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

the actual hardware that interprets and executes the program (SW) instructions and coordinates how all the other hardware devices work together: --control unit --arithmetic-logic unit (ALU) --registers --L1 (internal) cache memory