IT infrastructure is defined very broadly: a comprehensive collection of computer hardware, software, data, networking, and communication components that collectively form an IT solution. With the advancement in this field, it has turned out to be one of the most crucial elements of any organization.
The IT infrastructure also supports various activities in an organization, including backup, telecommunication, e-commerce, enterprise resource planning, and software deployment. More precisely, it refers to the physical, logical, and virtual components which combine to provide an IT solution.
Types of Components:
Broadly speaking, it is composed of different components such as servers, workstations, computer hardware, storage devices, network elements, and software.
Moreover, it also encompasses other functions such as backup and recovery, web deployment, management of networks and storage, antivirus and spyware detection and removal, remote support, application development, network diagnostics, and web server applications. The servers are the backbone of any IT infrastructure. They provide the ability to manage and access files, programs, network equipment and information, and so on.
Cloud Infrastructure:
Workstations include desktop and laptop computers, printing machines, and other peripheral devices used for input/output (I/O) purposes. Laptops usually have a built-in browser, database management system, and web server, while desktop computers store data and run applications.
Computers are part of the IT infrastructure because they form the core of telecommunication. Telecommunication infrastructures consist of cables and wires that link computers and other electronic devices. The storage systems for electronic data are called the data centers. IT consulting company can provide this kind of services.
Cloud computing infrastructures rely on the Internet to deliver virtual resources, and it uses virtualization to isolate resources on demand. Cloud infrastructure comprises different components such as servers, storage, network providers, client machines, and application servers.
It can be categorized into two types:
- Public
- Private
Public clouds are normally hosted on the infrastructure of an electric power grid, whereas private clouds are typically hosted in servers managed by the customer. Private clouds may be subdivided into dedicated, shared, or grid hosting.
Public cloud infrastructures are based on open-source software and virtualization technologies. In such an arrangement, various types of service providers provide virtualization technologies to the customers. As a result, customers can make use of the virtualized infrastructure without having to develop their own applications. Several companies use such an arrangement to reduce capital expenditure.
Infrastructure Types:
Business enterprises want to choose infrastructure. Infrastructures that offer fast recovery times and reduced maintenance. Thus, the physical infrastructures play a key role in providing data backup, security, reliability, and functionality.
For instance, a data center consists of servers, rackmountable storage devices, routers, network adapters, and so on. Similarly, cloud computing infrastructures are divided into two categories: public and private. A public cloud offers end-to-end connectivity to any user across the world while a private cloud supplies virtualization technologies to only a limited number of customers.
Cloud computing uses the pay-per-consumption model which allows customers to rent infrastructure hardware as well as software without the need for buying additional hardware or components. Since such an arrangement reduces the need for purchasing new infrastructure and software, the costs are accordingly reduced. Furthermore, there is no need for managing data storage, management, cooling, and so on.
Final Words:
In general, infrastructure includes three components namely IT infrastructure, middleware, and networking infrastructure. The IT infrastructure contains the computers, networks, storage devices, and other hardware components. On the other hand, middleware comprises of software and server applications.
On the other hand, the networking infrastructure consists of switches, hubs, routers, optical networks, and so on. In short, IT infrastructure includes the hardware components as well as software components whereas middleware and networking infrastructure include the software components only.