Ch. 5 - IT Infrastructure: Hardware and Software

XML

extensible markup language

keyboard

principal method of data entry for text and numerical data

operating system

the system software that manages and controls the computer's activities

distributed processing

the use of multiple computers linked by a communications network for processing

client

the user point of entry for the required function and is normally a desktop or laptop computer

solid state drives (SSDs)

use an array of semiconductors organized as an internal disk drive

optical discs

use laser technology to store large quantities of data, including sound and images, in a highly compact form -ex. CD-ROM, DVDs

portable USB flash drives

use similar technology as SSDs for external storage

5 components of IT infrastructure

1. computer hardware 2. computer software 3. data management technology 4. networking and telecommunications technology 5. technology services

data center

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

centralized processing

all processing is accomplished by one large central computer, is much less common

magnetic tape

an older storage technology that is used for secondary storage of large quantities of data that are needed rapidly, but not instantly

application software

applies the computer to a specific task for an end user, such as processing an order or generating a mailing list

two-tiered client/server Network (N-Tier)

client <-> internet <-> web server <-> app server <-> sales production accounting HR <-> data

ubiquitous network acess

cloud resources can be accessed using standard network and Internet devices

location-independent resource pooling

computing resources are pooled to serve multiple users, with different virtual resources dynamically assigned according to user demand

storage area networks (SANs)

connect multiple storage devices on a separate high-speed network dedicated to storage

computer hardware

consists of technology for computer processing, data storage, input, and output -includes: large mainframes, servers, desktop and laptop computers, and mobile devices for accessing corporate data and the Internet

on-demand self-service

consumers can obtain computing capabilities such as server time or network storage as needed automatically on their own

touch screen

device that allows users to interact with a computer by touching the surface of a sensitized display screen

optimal character recognition

device that can translate specially designed marks, characters and codes into digital form -ex. bar code

digital scanner

device that translates images, such as pictures or documents, into digital form

sensors

devices that collect data directly from the environment for input into a computer system -ex. farmers use sensors to monitor the moisture of the soil

printer

devices that produce a hard copy of information output -include: impact and non-impact printers

output devices

display data after they have been processed -ex. display, printers, audio output

workstation

fits on a desktop -has more powerful mathematical and graphics-processing capabilities than a PC does

input devices

gather data and convert them into electronic form for use by the computer -ex. keyboard, mouse, touch screen, bar codes, etc.

legacy systems

generally older transaction-processing systems created for older computers that continue in use to avoid the high cost of replacing or resigning them

computer mouse

handheld device with point-and-click capabilities for controlling a cursor's position on a computer display screen and selecting commands

application server

handles all application and operations between a user and an organization's back-end business systems

pen-based input

handwriting-recognition devices that convert the motion made by an electronic stylus pressing on a touch-sensitive tablet screen into digital form

HTML

hypertext markup language -page description language for specifying how text, graphics, video, and sound are placed on a web page for creating dynamic links to other web pages and objects

computer software

includes both system software and application software -usually purchased from outside vendors rather than custom programmed

audio input

input devices that convert voice, music, or other sounds into digital form for processing by computer

multicore processor

integrated circuit to which two or more processor cores have been attached for enhanced performance, reduced power consumption, and more efficient simultaneous processing of multiple tasks

grid computing

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

hybrid cloud

large firms mostly adopt this computer model, in which they use their own infrastructure for their most essential core activities and adopt public cloud computing for less-critical systems

mainframe

large-capacity, high-performance computer that can process large amounts of data rapidly

web hosting service

maintains a large web server and provides fee-paying subscribers with space to maintain their websites

graphical user interface (GUI)

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

system software

manages the resources and activities of the computer

systems integration

means ensuring that the new infrastructure works with the firm's legacy systems and that the new elements of the infrastructure work with one another

cloud computing

model of computing in which computer processing, storage, software, and other services are provided as a shared pool of virtualized resources over a network

consumerization of IT

new information technology that first emerges in the consumer market spreads into business organizations

display

often a flat-panel (LCD) display screen

private cloud

operated solely for an organization

server computers

optimized to support a computer networking, enabling users to share files, software, peripheral devices (printer), or other network resources

data management technolgoy

organizes, manages, and processes business data concerned with inventory, customers, and vendors

audio output

output devices that convert digital output data back into intelligible speech, music, or other sounds

public cloud

owned and maintained by a cloud service provider, such as Amazon Web Services

virtualization

process of presenting a set of computing resources so they that they can all be accessed in ways that are not restricted b physical configuration or geographic location

open source software

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

networking and telecommunications technology

provides data, voice, and video connectivity to employees, customers, and suppliers -includes: technology for running a company's internal networks, services from telecommunications/telephone services companies and technology for running websites and linking to other computer systems through the Internet

SLA

service level agreement -formal contract between customers and their service provides that defines specific responsibilities

supercomputer

specially designed and more sophisticated computer that is used for tasks requiring extremely rapid and complex calculations with thousands of variables, millions of measurements, and thousands of equations -ex. car manufacturers use them to simulate vehicle crashes; meteorologist use for the forecast

client/server computing

splits processing between clients and servers

peripheral devices

storage and input and output devices that are outside the main computer system unit

servers

store and process shared data and perform such functions as printer management and backup storage and network activities

magnetic ink character recognition

technology used primarily to check processing for bank industry -ex. characters on the bottom of a check

magnetic disk

the most widely used secondary storage medium today

nanotechnology

uses individual atoms and molecules to create computer chips and other devices that are thousands of times smaller than current technologies permit

quantum computing

uses the principles of quantum physics to represent data and perform operations on these data

technology services

when businesses need to make major system changes or implement an entirely new IT infrastructure, they typically turn to external consultants to help them with systems integration

web server

will serve a web page to a client in response to a request for service -responsible for locating and managing stored web pages