Information System Management : IT Infrastructure and Emerging Technologies

 

1. Explain three out of seven major components of IT Infrastructures

• Hardware : This includes all the physical devices and equipment used in IT systems. Key hardware components are servers, computers, data storage devices, networking equipment (like routers and switches), and peripherals

• Software : Software encompasses the applications and operating systems that run on the hardware. This includes system software (like operating systems), application software (like productivity tools, databases, and enterprise applications), and middleware 

• Networking : Networking refers to the systems and technologies that enable communication and data exchange between devices. This includes local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), the internet, and related hardware (like switches, routers, and firewalls)

1. 2 Provide clear explanation of Metcalfe’s Law of Network

• Metcalfe’s Law states that the value of a telecommunications network is proportional to the square of the number of connected users (or nodes) in the network.For example, if a network has 10 users, the potential connections (and thus the value) is 10 squared (100). If it grows to 20 users, the potential connections become 20 squared (400).

1. Explain the Moore’s Law of Microprocessing Power. Explain whether this law is likely to continue in the future and what is your expectation toward this trend for the next ten years.

•  Moore’s Law is an observation made by Gordon Moore in 1965. It states that the number of tiny switches (transistors) on a computer chip doubles about every two years. This means that computers get faster and cheaper over time.

• Future :transistors get extremely small, there are limits to how much smaller they can get due to physical laws. This makes it harder to keep doubling their numbers. Future developments may focus more on making chips work better and use less energy rather than just adding more transistors.

• Expect in 10 Years : While technology will still improve, we might not see the same rapid doubling of transistors as before. The next decade may bring a mix of traditional and new technologies, with chips tailored for specific jobs becoming more common.

1. 3 Most large Fortune 500 firms have some applications that run in the cloud. However, most of these same corporations do not put their strategic or critical systems on the cloud just yet. What are the reason? Briefly explain cloud computing, then answer the above question.

• Cloud computing refers to the delivery of computing services over the internet, allowing users to access and store data, run applications, and utilize resources without needing to manage physical servers or infrastructure. It offers flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, enabling businesses to pay for only the resources they use. 

• Reason why : Many large corporations worry about data security and privacy when storing sensitive information in the cloud. Concerns about data breaches, unauthorized access, and compliance with regulations can lead firms to keep critical systems on-premises.