What is IT Infrastructure?

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What is IT Infrastructure?

Technologies impact businesses, their products, and their employees. By connecting technologies correctly, we can improve communication, create efficiency, and increase productivity. Managing and operating enterprise IT services requires IT infrastructure.

IT infrastructure can give organizations and enterprises a competitive advantage. However, a poorly implemented IT infrastructure can cause problems related to efficiency, output, and security. As a result, there can be system disruptions. To succeed in business, you need a well-implemented IT infrastructure.

Also Read: What Is GRC?

Types of IT Infrastructure

There are three basic types of IT infrastructure, which are as follows:

Types of IT Infrastructure

Traditional Infrastructure

Business entities manage and own IT components in Traditional IT Infrastructures. Infrastructure with traditional technologies consumes a lot of power, space, and hardware, such as servers.

Cloud Infrastructure

Infrastructure components and resources make up cloud computing. Your own private cloud can be built using your own resources. You can also rent a public cloud from Amazon, Google, Alibaba, IBM, or Microsoft. With a hybrid cloud, you can manage multiple clouds simultaneously, port workloads, and orchestrate workloads.

Hyper-Converged Infrastructure

Hyper-Converged Infrastructure provides data storage, network, and compute resources all in one place. More modern workloads can be supported by software-defined computing and data storage.

Also Read: What Is A Legacy System?

What are the 7 main components of IT infrastructure?

Infrastructure is the part of IT that runs and manages enterprise IT. An organization can deploy IT infrastructure in the cloud or on its own premises.

7 Components of IT Infrastructure

7 Components of IT Infrastructure include:

Hardware

Touchable IT components are considered hardware. Since your software isn’t physically present, it is not a part of your hardware. Storage devices, servers, and hard drives are examples of hardware. 

Setting up a new business requires more than just spending money on hardware. Consider your business’s benefits before buying hardware. Depending on your situation, you might select certain types of computer hardware, it helps:

  • Automating accounting, payroll, and record-keeping reduces costs. 
  • Effective communication improves customer service.
  • Your business will be more productive and efficient, allowing you to expand your market reach.
  • A competitive advantage from business technology.

Software

Using the right software can help you run your business more efficiently. Consider what new software can do for you. It enhances communication channels and automates routine tasks. Outsourcing your software requirements can also help you save money on your software and hardware costs.

  • Bespoke Software

Bespoke Software is tailored to your business processes and takes time and expertise.

  • Application Software

You can achieve more with system software. Microsoft Office 365, for example, integrates Office applications with smart cloud services.

  • Packaged Software

Packaged Software is often cheaper and easier to use for businesses. It also offers support, training, and IT maintenance.

  • Open-Source And Proprietary Software

Installing proprietary software requires you to accept a license agreement (EULA). On the other hand, open-source software lets you make copies and distribute them. It comes with source code you can modify. 

A cloud computing system is another option. With cloud computing, documents, emails, and customer information are stored in the cloud. A web browser is required on any computer or mobile device.

Network 

Networks are your company’s heart. Nonetheless, it must be supported by a good network infrastructure if it is to perform correctly. Networks come in three types: 

  • A system that is open refers to one that is connected to the network and ready to communicate.
  • In contrast to open systems, closed systems cannot be communicated with. 
  • Multiple devices called hosts are connected in a computer network. Data can be sent or received from the media using multiple paths. 

Data Centre and Storage Facilities

The data center consists of several technical components. Among them are: 

  • Storage – Large companies typically store company data on solid-state discs and tapes in data centers.
  • Compute – Servers with high processing power and memory.
  • Network – Devices that interconnect data center components, such as routers, switches, and application delivery controllers.

Data Centers store and manage critical resources, so they must be reliable, secure, and constantly evolving. Therefore, businesses’ data centers need agile and scalable technology.

Hybrid-cloud strategies are becoming increasingly common, where some workloads are offloaded to a cloud, like Microsoft solution providers, while others remain on-premises. 

Virtual and Remote Assets

As a virtual asset, you are able to store and trade value digitally and use it as a payment or investment. Since the pandemic, tracking and monitoring have become more important. Employees require company-wide communication systems when working from home (WFH). 

With remote working, many businesses are adopting remote asset management, a tool that monitors and maintains assets, machines, and systems. The use of a remote asset management system enables real-time communication, improving control, efficiency, and cost. 

Wireless and Wired Access

The term “wired access” refers to connecting devices with cables, such as your laptop. Alternatively, wireless access connects devices to a network or system but allows them to roam freely.

Wired access allows IT support to control device access. This prevents malware and security threats from entering your devices. Wired networks are faster than wireless networks. Setting up cable runs can disrupt your business operations, while wired access restricts your ability to collaborate.  

Consulting and System Integration Services

Integration of a system involves both physical and virtual components. A physical component could be a machine system, computer hardware, inventory, etc. A virtual component is data stored in databases, software, and apps.

Often, integrating two systems is challenging due to a lack of expertise. Successful integration requires knowledge of the data and its internal structure. To help you integrate, it is advisable to outsource to an IT company in Saudi Arabia that offers Managed Services.

Also Read: What Is Network Security?

Benefits of IT Infrastructure

A well-designed IT infrastructure can save time, money, and power and helps.

Benefits of IT Infrastructure

Boosting Revenue

IT infrastructure can boost revenue and streamline processes. Furthermore, it can save companies money and attract new customers. 

Easy Scalability 

Scale your business without buying new equipment or reconfiguring your servers. Cloud services enable vertical and horizontal scaling.  

Boost Productivity with Less Downtime

IT infrastructure downtime, outages, and failures can occur due to inefficient on-premise infrastructure models.

Also Read: What Is A Security Operations Center (SOC)?

IT Infrastructure Management

Managing IT infrastructures is managing people, systems, platforms, and environments. Technology infrastructure management types include:

  • OS Management

Manages content, patches, provisioning, and subscriptions across environments.

  • Cloud Management

Manage users, data, applications, and services using cloud resources.

  • Virtualization Management

Simplifies administration and streamlines operations.

  • IT Operations Management

Maintaining repeatable, ongoing, or predictable business processes.

  • IT Automation

Increasing efficiency and reducing costs by automating IT environments.

  • Container Orchestration

Manages, scales, and networks containers automatically.

  • Configuration Management

Ensure system, server, and software consistency.

  • API Management

Monitor and manage enterprise and cloud applications.

  • Risk Management

Determines and assesses risks, and devises plans to minimize or control them.

  • Data Management

Managing, maintaining, and utilizing information in order to access, own, and utilize it.

Also Read: What Is Network Functions Virtualization NFV?

IT Infrastructure Checklist

Don’t let IT overwhelm you! Business thrives on healthy tech, and checklists are the first step in ensuring your IT supports your business effectively.

IT Infrastructure Checklist

Taking Stock

  • What are your IT goals?
  • Is your business strategy aligned with the goals?
  • Do you have a long-term IT plan?
  • Is the hardware in stock?
  • Is there a software inventory?
  • How often do you update your inventory?
  • What is your software and hardware lifespan plan?
  • Are hardware and software contracts up for renewal?

Set-Up

  • Is your setup correct?
  • Is there enough power and hardware access?
  • Are routers and servers connected safely?
  • What devices are compatible?

Data

  • Does your cloud work?
  • Are your backups regular?
  • Who backups up the data?

Security and Policies

  • How do firewalls work?
  • Is there a policy for mobile devices?
  • Are password policies in place?
  • How is sensitive data handled?
  • Who reviews and updates security policies?
  • When available, are two-factor authentications used?

Also Read: What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?

Why Choose Us for IT Infrastructure?

Manage your business’ IT environment and experience with IT infrastructure services. Business is moving to digital space, so having a reliable IT infrastructure helps you control your assets, which, in turn, boosts progress.

As a leading Saudi Arabia IT company, Infratech provides intelligent and effective business solutions. You can rely on our experts for analysis and support all the way through. By leveraging advanced technology, we can help you grow your business.

FAQs

What is Infrastructure as a service?

Networking, data processing, storage, platforms for sharing content and media, IoT, user devices, and resilience are among infrastructure services.

Why is IT Infrastructure Important?

Using the cloud seamlessly requires IT infrastructure. By leveraging new cloud technologies, businesses can create exceptional experiences.

How Much Does IT Infrastructure Cost?

Hardware and software costs account for most IT expenses. Cyber threats, cloud computing, and other business-impacting technologies increase company costs without proper management.

What is the Future of IT Infrastructure?

We need an IT infrastructure that adapts to changing needs. Supply chains must be managed effectively to deploy global IT infrastructure without being prohibitively complex.

How to Setup IT Infrastructure for Small Businesses?

Build your IT infrastructure to be scalable, simple, and cost-effective. Your business won’t need to replace everything when it grows. You can easily modify the components.

Why build your IT infrastructure with Infratech?

We provide enterprise IT software and support, from infrastructure to platforms, data storage to containers, and management to automation. In this way, you can build a solution that works on physical, virtual, private, and public clouds.

Also Read: What Is Digital Transformation?