IT infrastructure essentials: from networks to cloud computing
IT infrastructure is the backbone of business, as no business can function without a reliable IT environment. Even elementary processes such as correspondence, order acceptance, report generation or supply chain building are made possible by IT infrastructure. The efficiency of a business therefore depends on how well thought out and technologically advanced its IT landscape is.
Introduction to IT Infrastructure
From the management of internal networks to the use of cloud technologies for data storage and processing, IT infrastructure covers all aspects of information technology used in an organisation. It’s of crucial importance, because the IT infrastructure that ensures the reliable and uninterrupted operation of all business processes is key to achieving strategic goals.
For large companies with a large number of technological processes, it is usually very difficult to build an IT infrastructure on their own, so it is better to contact specialists. IT companies are organisations that specialise in designing, implementing, and maintaining IT infrastructure for other companies. They ensure the reliable operation of network technologies, cloud solutions, and data storage systems.
IT infrastructure definition
IT infrastructure is a set of hardware and software resources, network technologies, data storage systems and services that ensure the functioning of an organisation's information systems.
In other words, an organisation's IT infrastructure is the foundation its activities are built on. It includes everything from physical components (servers, networks) to software and cloud solutions that keep the business running smoothly.
The correct organisation and management of the IT infrastructure determine the efficiency of the company and its ability to adapt quickly to changes and implement new technologies.
Historical development and evolution
The beginning of the development of IT infrastructure is closely linked to technological progress that took place in the second half of the 19th century. The 1960s and 1970s marked the beginning of the information technology era, but at that time the IT infrastructure was still quite limited. It was mostly huge electronic computers, sometimes taking up entire rooms. But it was the beginning. Large computers were used to process large amounts of data, they were very expensive and difficult to operate.
A new stage in the development of IT infrastructure came in the 1980s when the first personal computers appeared. A little bit later, when PCs were connected to the first local area network (LAN), it became possible to exchange information quickly between different computers in the same office. This set the stage for the development of networking technologies that have become indispensable to business today.
The so-called Internet era, which began in the early 2000s, has had an even greater impact on the development of IT infrastructure. Thanks to the global network, it was made possible to connect not only several computers in the office but also other offices in different parts of the world, creating a single information ecosystem. Cloud computing and virtualisation have evolved rapidly during this period, allowing organisations to reduce the cost of physical infrastructure and provide greater flexibility in managing IT resources at any scale.
Key components of the IT infrastructure
The main components of the IT infrastructure include:
- Hardware — physical devices, such as servers, computers, network devices (routers, switches), and storage systems (hard drives, NAS, SAN).
- Software — operating systems, applications, databases, and system software that manages and enables hardware resources. And data and system security tools, such as firewalls, antivirus software, encryption, access control and monitoring systems.
- Network technologies — local (LAN) and wide area networks (WAN), Internet connections, VPNs, and other means of communication that enable data exchange between devices and users.
- Cloud technologies — virtualised resources provided via the Internet, such as cloud computing, cloud storage, and services (PaaS, SaaS, IaaS).
- Engineering infrastructure — supporting systems, including power, cooling, physical security of data centers, and other elements that ensure the smooth operation of IT systems.
Let's take a closer look at some of them.
Network components (LAN, WAN)
Networking technologies are the backbone of the IT infrastructure, providing connections between all system components. They include local area networks LAN (Local Area Network) and wide area networks WAN (Wide Area Network).
LAN (Local Area Network) — is a local area network that connects computers and other devices within a single room or building. It provides high data transfer speeds and allows users to quickly exchange information, and connect to servers, printers, and other resources. LAN area is a basic component of any corporate IT infrastructure providing reliable communication between different devices.
WAN (Wide Area Network) — is a wide area network that connects several local networks placed at a considerable distance from each other. A WAN is used to connect offices in different cities or countries, allowing company employees to work with a single information base regardless of their location. This type of network involves connecting to the Internet and using other global resources.
An important aspect of building a network infrastructure is the choice of equipment. Cisco Networking Solutions, for example, are network solutions developed by Cisco Systems, one of the world's leading networking companies. Cisco offers a wide range of products and solutions for building and managing networks, including routers, switches, wireless solutions, security systems, and network infrastructure management. Known for their reliability, scalability, and high levels of security, Cisco networking technologies are a popular choice for businesses of all sizes to ensure effective communication and data exchange.
Servers and storage equipment (IBM Storage, Dell Storage)
Storage systems are a critical part of the IT infrastructure. They provide secure and reliable storage for the large amounts of information that are vital to any business.
Some of the leaders in the storage solutions market are IBM Storage Systems and Dell Storage.
For example, IBM SAN (Storage Area Network) provides fast and reliable connectivity between servers and storage systems. IBM SAN enables organisations to centralise the management of large amounts of data, ensuring high performance and security of information processing. Because of their scalability and efficiency, IBM SAN solutions are popular with organisations that need a reliable infrastructure for critical data and applications.
Dell Storage offers solutions, such as Dell Storage (Network-Attached Storage) and Dell Storage SC, that enable organisations to easily manage and reliably store their data.
Dell Storage (Network-Attached Storage) is Dell's fast, scalable and secure network attached storage (NAS) solution that easily integrates with multi-cloud infrastructure to provide cost-effective file storage.
Dell Storage SC is a family of enterprise-class storage systems. Built on a modular architecture that enables next-generation storage virtualisation, it helps you put the right data in the right place, at the right time, and at the right price.
Dell also helps accelerate digital transformation with a broad range of servers optimised for today's most demanding workloads - Dell Storage Servers:
- Rack servers Dell PowerEdge — for maximum and versatile performance;
- Tower servers Dell PowerEdge — for small businesses and remote offices;
- Dell PowerEdge modular infrastructure — для гнучких і масштабованих середовищ;
- Dell PowerEdge Rugged Servers — for extreme and edge environments;
- Specialised Dell PowerEdge Servers — for complex workloads with large amounts of memory;
- Dell PowerEdge Cloud Scale Servers — server technology optimised for cloud service providers.
Moving to the cloud
Cloud computing is a modern trend in IT infrastructure development that is becoming increasingly popular among businesses of all sizes and industries. Cloud technologies offer flexible and efficient solutions for storing, processing, and accessing data, reducing the cost of maintaining local servers and ensuring that resources can be rapidly scaled to meet different needs. This shift opens up new opportunities to optimise business processes and increase market competitiveness.
The basics of cloud solutions
Cloud computing is an innovative approach to computing. It provides users with access to resources via the Internet, reducing the cost of physical infrastructure. It offers to scale data storage as the needs grow also ensuring flexibility and cost-effectiveness. Cloud technologies are widely used to support business processes, software development, big data analytics, and backup. They also help increase the efficiency and speed of implementing new solutions.
Cloud solutions, such as IBM Cloud Storage and Dell Storage Backup, allow organisations to store data in the cloud, providing a higher level of security and accessibility. This is especially important for organisations that need to access data from anywhere in the world and reduce the cost of physical hardware.
Benefits and challenges of cloud infrastructure
Cloud infrastructure has many advantages, including:
- Flexibility and scalability. Companies that use cloud computing can easily adjust their resources to their frequently changing needs by increasing or decreasing the resources they use in the cloud.
- Reduced costs. Cloud services help reduce the cost of a company's physical infrastructure while ensuring a high level of data security.
- Accessibility. When data is stored in the cloud, it can be accessed from anywhere in the world that greatly simplifies the processes for companies on a global scale.
However, cloud infrastructure also has some challenges:
- Data security. Long-term and secure cloud data storage requires additional security measures to avoid unauthorised access.
- Compliance. The use of cloud services obliges companies that use them to comply with all regulations governing this area, even if they are located in other countries.
Practical application of IT infrastructure in business
IT companies play a key role in the implementation of a reliable IT infrastructure for business. They help companies implement and use modern technologies to achieve their goals. By working with professional IT companies, organisations can implement advanced technologies, optimise business processes and increase their competitiveness.
IT infrastructure implementation cases
The most prominent examples of IT infrastructure implementation are global organisations that actively use cloud technologies and advanced data storage systems to optimise their business processes. For example, large financial institutions such as banks intensively implement solutions based on IBM Systems Storage to store and reliably protect critical customer data.
To support its long-term growth, Electrolux has consolidated its SAP HANA analytics platforms on high-performance IBM Power Systems servers and IBM FlashSystem storage.
The company has steadily expanded its global footprint by acquiring leading manufacturers of washing machines, kitchen appliances, vacuum cleaners, and more. A side effect of this growth was the acquisition of numerous disparate business systems, processes, and infrastructure that hindered growth, strategic decision-making, and innovation.
As a result, Electrolux implemented IBM Power Systems and IBM FlashSystem:
- Enabled business growth with a scalable platform;
- Reduced disaster recovery infrastructure costs by 30%;
- Reduced recovery time by 75%.
This way, IBM Power Systems can provide long-term scalability and avoid the costs and disruption associated with regular IT infrastructure upgrades.
The another example, global companies use Cisco networking solutions to create secure corporate networks that link offices around the world. This enables them to provide employees in different countries with uninterrupted access to corporate data, increasing work efficiency and reduces the costs of maintaining local IT systems.
For example, the implementation of the Cisco network at the International Bank of the Persian Gulf. The company faced many challenges:
- using a global network that was based on expensive MPLS infrastructure and did not have sufficient bandwidth;
- frequent delays and downtime;
Lack of automation and centralised management: manually installing, configuring, and updating WAN devices and routing protocols at each branch was time-consuming and increased the possibility of human mistake.
The bank turned to Cisco Networks to deploy SD-WAN and address these issues. The result:
- Remote activation and advanced authentication that increased security;
- Easy integration with existing equipment and optimisation for specific applications;
- Fast data recovery in real-time and without downtime;
- Automation of data encryption, network optimisation, and end-to-end protection against internal and external threats;
- Reducing network infrastructure costs by 30% and reducing bandwidth costs by 50%.
The benefits of deploying market-leading IT infrastructure for large organisations can range from significant cost savings to process optimisation and data security.
Evaluating the effectiveness of IT infrastructure
The effectiveness of an IT infrastructure can be measured by several key indicators:
- Performance. How quickly and efficiently an enterprise's IT infrastructure supports its operational needs.
- Cost. This includes the initial investment and ongoing costs of maintaining and updating the IT infrastructure.
- Flexibility. The ability of the infrastructure to adapt to changes of business requirements and quickly implement new informational technologies.
- Security. How reliably the infrastructure protects corporate data from unauthorised access and cyber threats.
It is important to regularly review your IT infrastructure to identify weaknesses and opportunities for improvement. This helps to ensure maximum efficiency and reliability of all system components.
The future of IT infrastructure
The latest trends in this market will determine IT infrastructure development in the coming years. IT companies play an important role in this process, as they implement new technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and containerisation technologies. Thanks to their experience and knowledge, companies will be able to adapt to rapid changes in the technological environment and effectively use new opportunities to grow their business.
IT Infrastructure innovations and trends
The future of IT infrastructure promises to be exciting as new technologies continue to be developed and implemented rapidly. One of the key trends in this area is the evolution of cloud technologies, particularly the move towards hybrid and multi-cloud environments, which allow organisations to combine different cloud services by combining private and public clouds for data storage and processing. This provides flexibility, allowing organisations to optimise costs, improve security, and tailor resources to specific business needs.
It is also worth noting that the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in the IT infrastructure sector. AI can significantly improve the efficiency of infrastructure management by automating routine tasks and providing deeper data analysis for strategic decision-making.
Another trend is containerisation technologies and orchestration platforms, which are becoming the standard for application deployment and management. They simplify software development, testing and deployment processes, enabling faster time to market.
Another important trend is the distribution of IT infrastructure through edge computing, which reduces latency, increases productivity, and reduces the load on main data centres.
Technology development predictions
Predictions for the development of IT infrastructure in the coming years include the active implementation of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, which will make it possible to connect more and more devices to the network and collect large amounts of data for further analysis and optimisation of business processes.
In addition, cybersecurity is expected to evolve as the growth of the number of connected devices and data increases the risk of cyber threats. This will require companies to pay even more attention to security issues and implement new protection mechanisms.
We can also expect to see an increase in popularity of hybrid cloud solutions, which combine the benefits of private and public clouds. This will allow organisations to use their resources more efficiently and provide greater flexibility in managing their IT infrastructure.
Artificial intelligence will continue to develop, replacing routine tasks and improving processes in all areas, including IT.
Conclusion
In today's world, IT infrastructure plays a key role in ensuring the stable and efficient operation of any business. From the right organisation of network and storage systems to the implementation of cloud solutions, all of these components form the basis of a successful business.
IT infrastructure continues to evolve at a rapid pace, and organisations that invest in new technologies gain a significant advantage over their competitors. By adopting the latest network, cloud, and storage technologies, organisations can ensure their agility and resilience in a rapidly changing business environment.
The future of IT infrastructure promises to be even more integrated, scalable, and secure, enabling businesses to maintain their market position and thrive in the face of digital transformation.
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