Transcript Systems Architecture, Fifth Edition

SCSC 311 Information Systems:
hardware and software
Chapter Objectives
Answer three questions in chapter 1:
1.
Why is technological knowledge important for
information systems professionals?
2.
What kind of jobs will IS professionals take ?
3.
How to locate information sources?
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Rapid Technology Developments
Moore's Law is the empirical observation:
the number of transistors on an integrated circuit (for minimum component cost) doubles
every 24 months.
-- Gordon Moore, 1965
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Computing Devices are Everywhere
• Increasingly complex and powerful
• And yet easier to use
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Q1
Why is technological knowledge important for
information systems professionals?
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Q1: Why is technological knowledge important for
information systems professionals?
Ans: IS professional is responsible of …
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Acquiring and Configuring Technological
Devices
Managing Computer Resources
Developing Information System
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1. Acquiring and Configuring
Technological Devices
Classroom discussion:
What type of knowledge do you need to know about a computer
system to purchase a computer for your home use?
What type of knowledge do you need to know about a computer
system to purchase one for business use?
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Note that: It requires more knowledge acquiring and
configuring devices than using devices.
Challenges of an IS professional
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Computer acquisition
Upgrading
Configuration choices
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2. Managing Computer Resources
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Requires attention to compatibility and future
trends
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Compatibility: ensure that each new system operates
correctly and operates smoothly with other systems;
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Future trends: ensure that software/hardware
acquisitions provide a good foundation for current and
future systems
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3. Developing Information Systems
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Systems development life cycle (SDLC) : a series of
steps of developing an IS
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Unified Process (UP) is a modern SDLC, includes
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Business Modeling and Requirements disciplines
Design discipline
Implementation and Testing disciplines
Deployment discipline
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Unified Process
Iteration: Under the UP model, an IS is built in a series of
4-6 week repeated steps.
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Business Modeling & Requirements
Disciplines
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Purpose: to understand the system environment
and tasks the system must perform
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Technical knowledge required to:
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Assess degree to which users’ needs are being
met
Estimate resources required to address unmet
needs
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Design Discipline
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Purpose: to determine structure of a specific
information system that fulfills system
requirements (information architecture)
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Technical knowledge required to:
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Select hardware and network components
Evaluate compatibility
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Architectural vs. Detailed
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Architectural design
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Select and describe exact configuration
Detailed design
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Narrower in scope
Constrained by information architecture
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Specific Systems Design Tasks
Selection of…
Examples
Computer
hardware
Processing, storage, I/O, and
network components
Network hardware Transmission lines, routers, firewalls
Software
OS, database management system,
network services, network protocols,
security protocols and software
Application
Programming languages, component
program
libraries, integrated development
development tools environments
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Implementation and Testing Disciplines
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Purpose of implementation: to build, acquire,
and integrate application software components
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Purpose of testing: to verify correct functioning
of infrastructure and application software
components and ensure they satisfy system
requirements
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Deployment Discipline
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Purpose: to install and configure infrastructure
and application software components and bring
them into operation
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Technical knowledge required to:
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Format storage devices
Set up system security
Install and configure network services
Establish accounting and auditing controls
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Systems Evaluation and Maintenance
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Systems Evaluation and Maintenance accounts
for much of long range system cost
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Although it is not a part of UP model
Technical knowledge required to:
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Address maintenance changes
Classify a proposed change as major or minor
Modify an existing system
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Q2
What kind of jobs will IS professionals
take ?
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Q2: What kind of jobs will IS professionals take ?
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Job classification of IS professionals
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Hardware personnel
Systems programmer
Application developer
Systems manager
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Computer operations manager
Network administrator
Database administrator
Chief information officer
Computer hardware and software knowledge are
essential to each group, with different emphasis.
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Hardware Personnel
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Design, install, and maintain hardware
Education
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(self-study)
Technical degree and/or vendor-specific training
(lower level)
Degree in computer science or computer engineering
(higher level)
Require extensive knowledge of computer
hardware (processing, data storage,
input/output, and networking devices)
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Systems Programmers
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(self-study)
Develop system software (operating systems, compilers,
database management systems, network security
monitors)
Perform hardware troubleshooting and software
installation and configuration
Have degrees in computer science or computer
engineering
Need in-depth knowledge of system software, computer
hardware, and networks
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Application Developers
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Contribute to different part of SDLC
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(self-study)
Systems analyst (business modeling and
requirements)
Systems designer (design discipline, sometimes
deployment)
Application programmer (builds and tests software)
Need in-depth hardware and system software
knowledge
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Systems Managers
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(self-study)
Common job titles
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Computer operations manager
Network administrator
Database administrator
Chief information officer
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Computer Operations Manager
(self-study)
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Oversees operation of a large information–
processing facility (scheduling, staffing, security,
system backups, maintenance, upgrades)
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Knowledge requirements
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Broad base of technical knowledge to understand
organization’s information systems and
infrastructure
Capability of understanding advice of technical
staff
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Network Administrator
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Responsible for network infrastructure
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(self-study)
Requires technical expertise in computer hardware,
telecommunications, and system software
Emphasis on network and data communication technology
Responsible for local area network
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Operates and maintains network
Installs and maintains end-user software
Installs and configures hardware
Trains users
Assists management in selecting and acquiring software
and hardware
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Database Administrator
(self-study)
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Responsible for management of large
collections of data
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Requires technical expertise and ability to help
the organization exploit its data resources
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Chief Information Officer (self-study)
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Responsibilities
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Organization’s computers, networks, software, and data
Strategic planning
Effective use of information and computing technology
Requirements
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Broad base of technical knowledge to interact effectively
with all technical specialists
Vision of how technology is changing and how best to
respond to changes to support organizational objectives
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Q3
How to locate information sources?
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Q3: How to locate information sources?
Ans:
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Periodical literature (most important)
Web sites
Training courses offered by hardware and
software vendors
Professional societies: IEEE, ACM, etc.
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Periodical Literature
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Examples of available literature
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IEEE Journals and magazines
ACM Journals and magazines
Computerworld, Computer, …
Web-based periodicals
Provide content from back issues, additional
content, a search engine, other links
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Web Sites
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Technology-Oriented Web Sites
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Provide a common interface to publication families
Enable publisher to provide additional content and
services
Can generate revenue in several ways
May have biased content
Vendor and Manufacturer Web Sites
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Primarily marketing and customer support tools
Provide current detailed technical product information
Often biased in favor of vendor’s products
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Summary
Technical knowledge of computers are essential to
IS professionals
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Required to develop information systems
Required to manage an organization’s information
systems and infrastructure (compatibility, future
trends)
Knowledge must be constantly updated
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