Chapter 4 IT INFRASTRUCTURE : HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE

CD-ROM

(compact disk read-only memory) for PCs, they can store up to 660 megabytes. They are read-only storage

DVD

(digital video discs) are same size as CD-ROM but with higher capacity, storing a minimum of 4.7 gigabytes of data . They are favored technology for storing video, graphics and large amount of data

DVD-RW

(rewritable discs) are widely used in person al computer systems.

Data management

-Business need a specialized software to organize data and make them available users. -Data management software organizes, manages and process business data concerned with inventory, customers and vendors.

Technology service

-Business needs people to run and manage infrastructure components and train employees for how to use these technologies in their work. -Implementing new infrastructure requires significant changes in business processes and procedures, training and education, and software integration. -Organizations needs external consultant to help them in implementing new IT infrastructure for system integration.

•Consulting and system integration services

-Even large firms do not have resources for a full range of support for new, complex infrastructure

Computer hardware

-It consists of technology for computer processing, data storage, input and output. -This component includes: •Large mainframes •Servers •Desktop and laptop computers •Mobile devices for accessing corporate data •Internet •Equipments for inputting data •Physical media for storing data •Devices for delivering processed information as an output

Computer software

-It includes both system software and application software -System software manages the resources and activities of computer -Application software applies the computer to a specific task for an end user. -E.g processing an order , generating mailing list

Midrange computers (Servers)

.It supports computer network, which enables user to share files, software, printers. -If the firm have a number of computers networked together or maintain website network, so there is a need to use Server.

Mainframes

1.: They are the largest computers, large capacity, high performance computer which can process large amount of data very rapidly. •E.g Airlines uses mainframes to process upwards of 3000 reservation transactions per second.

IT infrastructure composed of 5 major components

1.Computer hardware 2.Computer software 3.Data management technology 4.Networking and telecommunications technology 5.Technology service these Five major components must be coordinated to provide the firm with a coherent IT infrastructure.

IT Infrastructure has 5 main components

1.Computer hardware platforms 2.Operating system platforms 3.Enterprise software applications 4.Data management and storage 5.Networking/telecommunications platforms

Input devices are:

1.Keyboard 2.Computer mouse 3.Touch screen 4.Optical character recognition 5.Pen-based input 6.Digital scanner 7.Audio input 8.Sensors

The Storage Technologies Are

1.Magnetic discs 2.Optical Discs 3.Storage Networking (SAN)

Types of computer

1.Mainframes 2.Midrange computers (Servers) 3.Personal computer (PCs) 4.Workstations 5.Supercomputers

Output devices are:

1.Monitor: they are the display screen . 2.Printers: devices that produce a printed hard copy of information output. -Dot matrix printers, -Non impact printers such as laser, inkjet 3.Audio output: voice output devices that convert digital data into intelligible speech. -Music can be delivered by speakers connected to computer.

Magnetic discs

1.They are the most widely used today. •The PCs have hard drivers. •The mainframe computer systems have multiple hard drivers. Because they require huge disk storage capacity in gigabyte and tetra byte range.

Optical Discs

2.They use laser technology to store large quantities of data, including sound and images in a highly compact form. •They available for PCs and large computers.

IT infrastructure

Business requires a set of physical devices, software and communication capabilities to operate and solve business problems.

Personal computer (PCs)

It can be desktops or laptop, mobile devices with some computing capabilities such as iPhone, Blackberry. If you are doing advanced design or engineering work which requires powerful graphics or computer capabilities so it workstation should be used.

3.Touch screen:

It is a device that allows user to interact with a computer by touching the surface of display screen. -It is used in kiosks in airports, restaurants and smart phones as iPhone.

6.Digital scanner:

It is a device that translate images into digital form.

4.Optical character recognition:

It is a device that translates characters, codes into digital form. -The most widely used is bar code, which used in supermarkets, stores,....

1.Keyboard:

It is a principal method of data entry for text and numerical data.

8.Sensors:

It is devices that collect data directly form environment for input into a computer system. - E.g. farmer's can use sensors to monitor the moisture of the soil to help them.

5.Pen-based input:

It is hand writing recognition devices, such as pen based tablets, notebooks. - It converts the motion made on touch screen into a digital form.

2.Computer mouse:

It is handheld device with point and click capabilities. -It is usually connected to computer with cable.

Networking/telecommunications technology

It provides data, voice, video connectivity to employees, customers and suppliers. - It includes technology for running firm's internal network and technology for running web sites and linking other computer to internet.

Workstations

They are desktops with powerful mathematical and graphic capabilities.

Supercomputers

They are sophisticated and powerful that can perform massive and complex calculations with thousands of equations, millions of measurements rapidly. •E.g. Volvo and other automobiles manufacturers uses it to stimulate vehicle crash tests •E.g. used for long term weather forecaster such as national oceanic and atmospheric administration (NOAA)

7.Audio input: .

Voice input devices that convert spoken words into digital form for processing by computers. - Microphones and cassette players serve as input devices for music

CD-RW

but (CD-Rewritable) discs are rewritable.

Output devices

display data after they have been processed.

•Some older PCs uses ............. ............ but they have been replaced by.......... ............ ............,

floppy disks, USB flash drivers, which provides portable flash memory storage by plugging it into computer USB port. It provides up to 256 gigabytes of portable storage capacity.

Software integration

means ensuring that new infrastructure works with the firm older one. This is called legacy system. -ensuring new infrastructure works with legacy systems

Legacy systems

older TPS created for mainframes that would be too costly to replace or redesign

-Most application software and system are purchased from .............

outside vendors

Hardware is needed for.................

processing data

Storage Networking (SAN)

used by large firms •It connects multiple storage devices on a separate high speed network dedicated to storage. It creates a large pool of storage that can be rapidly accessed and shared by multiple servers.

•Storage and input and output devices are called peripheral devices?

•Because they are outside the main computer system unit.

Servers and computers with large storage requirements

•They use a disk technology called Redundant Array Of Inexpensive Disks (RAID). RAID devices package more than 100 disk drives, controller chip, specialized software, large unit of delivering data over multiple paths simultaneously.

Input devices

•gather data and convert them into electronic form for use by the computer.