The components of IT infrastructure are made up of interdependent elements, and the two core groups of components are hardware and software. Hardware uses software like an operating system to work. And likewise, an operating system manages system resources and hardware. Operating systems also make connections between software applications and physical resources using networking components.
Why IT infrastructure is important
Technology powers nearly every aspect of today’s businesses, from an individual employee’s work to operations to goods and services. When properly networked, technology can be optimized to improve communication, create efficiencies and increase productivity.
Traditional infrastructure
A traditional IT infrastructure is made up of the usual hardware and software components: facilities, data centers, servers, networking hardware desktop computers and enterprise application software solutions. Typically, this infrastructure setup requires more power, physical space and money than other infrastructure types. A traditional infrastructure is typically installed on-premises for company-only, or private, use.
An optimal IT infrastructure
IT infrastructure setups vary by business needs and goals, but some goals are universal for every enterprise. The optimal infrastructure will provide a business high-performance storage, a low-latency network, security, an optimized wide area network (WAN), virtualization and zero downtime.
High-performance storage systems store and back up data and include a data recovery system in case of disasters.
Low-latency networks use enterprise-level infrastructure components to reduce the delay of data flow.
Secure infrastructures include systems that control information access and data availability. It can also safeguard a business against breaches and cyberattacks wherever the data resides, maintaining the customers’ trust.
WANs manage the network by prioritizing traffic and giving certain applications more or less bandwidth as needed.
Virtualization provides faster server provisioning, increases uptime, improves disaster recovery and saves energy.
Zero downtime aims to reduce disruptions to business operations and eliminates system downtime to keep costs down and profits up.
Networking
Networks are comprised of switches, routers, hubs and servers. Switches connect network devices on local area networks (LAN) like routers, servers and other switches. Routers allow devices on different LANs to communicate and move packets between networks. Hubs connect multiple networking devices to act as a single component.
Servers
A core hardware component needed for an enterprise IT infrastructure is a server. Servers are essentially computers that allow multiple users to access and share resources.
Facilities
Facilities or physical plants provide space for networking hardware, servers and data centers. It also includes the network cabling in office buildings to connect components of an IT infrastructure together.
Software
Software components can include:
Content management systems (CMS)
Customer relationship management (CRM)
Enterprise resource planning (ERP)
Operating systems
Web servers
Hardware
Hardware components can include:
Desktop computers
Servers
Data centers
Hubs
Routers
Switches
Facilities