IT Infrastructure - Revision history

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User: /* See Also */

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User at 21:06, 10 November 2021

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User at 20:31, 10 November 2021

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User at 20:29, 10 November 2021

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 *[[IT Organization (information technology organization)|IT Organization]]
 *[[IT Architecture]]
 *[[IT Services (Information Technology Services)]]
 *[[IT Operations (Information Technology Operations)|IT Operations]]

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 == Definition - What is IT Infrastructure? ==
-'''IT Infrastructure''' or '''Information Technology Infrastructure''' consists of the equipment, systems, software, and services used in common across an organization, regardless of mission/program/project.  IT Infrastructure also serves as the foundation upon which mission/program/project-specific systems and capabilities are built." from cio.gov
+'''IT Infrastructure''' or '''[[Information Technology (IT)]] Infrastructure''' consists of the equipment, systems, software, and services used in common across an organization, regardless of mission/program/project.  IT Infrastructure also serves as the foundation upon which mission/program/project-specific systems and capabilities are built." from cio.gov
 ITIL defines infrastructure more like: "All of the components (Configuration Items) that are needed to deliver IT Services to customers. The IT Infrastructure consists of more than just hardware and software." Additionally, for project planning purposes,  IT Infrastructure should be subdivided into several components:
 *Software Development

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:58, 11 August 2023
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	*Innovation. Outdated legacy environments require constant attention and can drain valuable staff time on critical incidents and unplanned outages. A refreshed environment that is running smoothly allows companies to focus less on putting out fires and more on finding innovative ways to partner with business counterparts to provide tools that will support revenue growth.		*Innovation. Outdated legacy environments require constant attention and can drain valuable staff time on critical incidents and unplanned outages. A refreshed environment that is running smoothly allows companies to focus less on putting out fires and more on finding innovative ways to partner with business counterparts to provide tools that will support revenue growth.
	*Bolstered network security. Security tools have become more advanced in their ability to identify real-time threats, detect potential data leaks, and reduce the spread of viruses. Advanced tools can improve network security and reduce unplanned outages.		*Bolstered network security. Security tools have become more advanced in their ability to identify real-time threats, detect potential data leaks, and reduce the spread of viruses. Advanced tools can improve network security and reduce unplanned outages.
		+
		+	IT infrastructure, the backbone of any contemporary enterprise, stands intricately connected to the role and vision of the Chief Information Officer (CIO). Rather than just a collection of servers, networks, and software, IT infrastructure serves as the conduit for data movement, communication, and critical business operations. It's the [[Chief Information Officer (CIO)\|CIO]], with their holistic perspective of the organization, who ensures that this foundation is not only sturdy but also aligns seamlessly with the broader company objectives. In an era where the boundaries between IT and core business operations are increasingly fluid, the success of IT infrastructure is often mirrored by the foresight and strategies of the CIO. Their decisions—whether it's a choice between cloud and on-premises, prioritizing cybersecurity, or driving digital transformation—shape and refine the infrastructure, making it a pivotal element in the enterprise's overarching strategy.

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 *[[IT Strategy (Information Technology Strategy)|IT Strategy]]
 *[[IT Organization (information technology organization)|IT Organization]]
-*[[Information Technology Architecture]]
+*[[IT Architecture]]
 *[[Information Technology (IT)]]
 *[[IT Services (Information Technology Services)]]

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 == See Also ==
 *[[IT Strategy (Information Technology Strategy)|IT Strategy]]
 *[[IT Organization (information technology organization)|IT Organization]]

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 *[[IT Services (Information Technology Services)|IT Services]] (e.g software setup, help desk, [[computer]] administration)<ref>Definition and Taxonomy of IT Infrastructure [http://galorath.com/blog/what-is-it-infrastructure-a-definition-and-a-taxonomy/ Galorath]</ref>
-Even though the IT infrastructure has been around for over 60 years, there have been incredible advances in technology in the past 15 years.[6] These advances have meant that IT infrastructure has become an integral component of companies both large and small. Workers used to use desktop computers at the office and technology speed was not great. Nowadays each user connects to the network using multiple devices such as laptops, phones and tablets. Therefore, the IT infrastructure has to be available 24/7 with fast speed and have enough capacity to support a higher number of devices. The IT Infrastructure is integral to the layers of the OSI Model. Without an IT Infrastructure, [[IT Operations (Information Technology Operations)|IT operations]] would not be possible. Everything from physical devices of the end user to the network in which they work on as well as the data they consume are not possible without the proper infrastructure in place in all the layers of the [[Open Systems Interconnection Model (OSI Model)|OSI model]]. Specifically, the first three layers are directly involved with IT Infrastructure. The physical layer serves as the fundamental layer for hardware. The second and third layers (Data Link and Network), are essential for communication to and from hardware devices. Without this, networking is not possible. Therefore, in a sense the internet itself would not be possible.<ref>Explaining IT Infrastructure [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IT_infrastructure Wikipedia]</ref>
+Even though the IT infrastructure has been around for over 60 years, there have been incredible advances in technology in the past 15 years. These advances have meant that IT infrastructure has become an integral component of companies both large and small. Workers used to use desktop computers at the office and technology speed was not great. Nowadays each user connects to the network using multiple devices such as laptops, phones and tablets. Therefore, the IT infrastructure has to be available 24/7 with fast speed and have enough capacity to support a higher number of devices. The IT Infrastructure is integral to the layers of the OSI Model. Without an IT Infrastructure, [[IT Operations (Information Technology Operations)|IT operations]] would not be possible. Everything from physical devices of the end user to the network in which they work on as well as the data they consume are not possible without the proper infrastructure in place in all the layers of the [[Open Systems Interconnection Model (OSI Model)|OSI model]]. Specifically, the first three layers are directly involved with IT Infrastructure. The physical layer serves as the fundamental layer for hardware. The second and third layers (Data Link and Network), are essential for communication to and from hardware devices. Without this, networking is not possible. Therefore, in a sense the internet itself would not be possible.<ref>Explaining IT Infrastructure [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IT_infrastructure Wikipedia]</ref>
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 *11 things to explain what IT infrastructure is about [http://blog.definityfirst.com/explain-it-infrastructure Definity First]
 *Next Generation IT Infrastructure [http://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/digital-mckinsey/our-insights/next-generation-it-infrastructure McKinsey]

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-[[File:IT Infrastructure.png|400px|The Layers of IT Infrastructure]]<br />
+[[File:IT Infrastructure.png|500px|The Layers of IT Infrastructure]]<br />
 source: Stonegroup UK
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-[[File:Benefits of IT Infrastructure.png|400px|Benefits of IT Infrastructure Transformation]]<br />
+[[File:Benefits of IT Infrastructure.png|500px|Benefits of IT Infrastructure Transformation]]<br />
 source: Kearney
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 *[[Information Technology (IT)]]
 *[[IT Services (Information Technology Services)]]

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	Rather than purchasing, configuring and maintaining the IT infrastructure needed to support a workload, a business can lease the required IT infrastructure from a cloud services provider on an on-demand, pay-as-you-go basis. Infrastructure-as-a-Service is enabling more companies to access more computing power at a lower price point than ever before. Some of the best-known cloud service providers that offer IaaS include Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Rackspace Open Cloud and Digital Ocean.		Rather than purchasing, configuring and maintaining the IT infrastructure needed to support a workload, a business can lease the required IT infrastructure from a cloud services provider on an on-demand, pay-as-you-go basis. Infrastructure-as-a-Service is enabling more companies to access more computing power at a lower price point than ever before. Some of the best-known cloud service providers that offer IaaS include Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Rackspace Open Cloud and Digital Ocean.
		+
		+
		+	== Benefits of IT Infrastructure Transformation<ref>The benefits of IT infrastructure transformation [https://www.kearney.com/digital/article?/a/modernizing-it-infrastructure-for-the-digital-age Kearney]</ref> ==
		+	As digital initiatives and technology have become more prominent, a high-performing IT infrastructure has become more important. The infrastructure’s strength has enormous bearing on corporate results—from back-end capabilities and customer-facing advances such as in-store Wi-Fi to internal employee enhancements such as access to social collaboration tools, bring-your-own-device initiatives, and the growing use of cloud services. Most of these capabilities are outsourced with a market value of hundreds of billions of dollars a year.
		+
		+	The benefits of getting an IT infrastructure transformation right are huge, with a wealth of opportunities for savings and process improvements and the potential to create an advantage by having a competitive and flexible technology environment. Companies that reassess their infrastructure consistently tap into a variety of benefits (see figure below).
		+
		+
		+	[[File:Benefits of IT Infrastructure.png\|400px\|Benefits of IT Infrastructure Transformation]]<br />
		+	source: Kearney
		+
		+
		+	*Transparent and reduced costs. In many vendor relationships, costs go up for reasons that are difficult to pinpoint. The transformation process creates visibility into what is being spent on IT infrastructure and points to places where the company can pay less for the same or better service. Advanced technology can provide huge benefits by delivering more computing power at lower costs, and alternative delivery models that shift staff locations or move to the cloud can cut costs even more.
		+	*Improved service levels. IT infrastructure services are operating well when no one notices them at all. Best-in-class service levels ensure that the infrastructure is always available, responsive, and high quality. Service levels affect not only customers but also employees. With a superior IT infrastructure, support tickets are resolved faster, and network and system availability is reliable.
		+	*Greater flexibility and faster time to market for new services. A transformation offers an opportunity to increase computing power and storage. Servers and other hardware can be provisioned faster, and storage can be increased or decreased on demand using pay-as-you-go models. By incorporating a new contract with accelerated tech refresh cycles, more advanced technology can get into user hands faster.
		+	*Innovation. Outdated legacy environments require constant attention and can drain valuable staff time on critical incidents and unplanned outages. A refreshed environment that is running smoothly allows companies to focus less on putting out fires and more on finding innovative ways to partner with business counterparts to provide tools that will support revenue growth.
		+	*Bolstered network security. Security tools have become more advanced in their ability to identify real-time threats, detect potential data leaks, and reduce the spread of viruses. Advanced tools can improve network security and reduce unplanned outages.
		+