Infrastructure management (IM)

For an organization's information technology, infrastructure management (IM) is the

management of essential operation components, such as policies, processes,
equipment, data, human resources, and external contacts, for overall effectiveness.
Infrastructure management is sometimes divided into categories of systems
management, network management, and storage management. Infrastructure
management products are available from a number of vendors including Hewlett-
Packard
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 BPM
, IBM, and Microsoft.
Among other purposes, infrastructure management seeks to:

 Reduce duplication of effort

 Ensure adherence to standards
 Enhance the flow of information throughout an information system
 Promote adaptability necessary for a changeable environment
 Ensure interoperability among organizational and external entities
 Maintain effective
 change management policies and practices
Although all business activities depend upon the infrastructure, planning and projects
to ensure its effective management are typically undervalued to the detriment of the
organization. According to IDC, a prominent research firm (cited in an article
in DMReview), investments in infrastructure management have the largest single
impact on an organization's revenue.

The Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) is a set of concepts and practices

for Information Technology Services Management (ITSM), Information Technology (IT)
development and IT operations.

ITIL gives detailed descriptions of a number of important IT practices and provides

comprehensive checklists, tasks and procedures that any IT organisation can tailor to its needs.
ITIL is published in a series of books, each of which covers an IT management topic. The
names ITIL and IT Infrastructure Library are registered trademarks of the United
Kingdom's Office of Government Commerce(OGC).
Transform your Business with Virtualization
Improve the efficiency and availability of IT resources and applications through virtualization. Start by
eliminating the old “one server, one application” model and run multiple virtual machines on each physical
machine. Free your IT admins from spending so much time managing servers rather than innovating.
About 70% of a typical IT budget in a non-virtualized datacenter goes towards just maintaining the
existing infrastructure, with little left for innovation.

An automated datacenter built on the production-proven VMware virtualization platform lets you respond
to market dynamics faster and more efficiently than ever before. VMware vSphere delivers resources,
applications—even servers—when and where they’re needed. VMware customers typically save 50-70%
on overall IT costs by consolidating their resource pools and delivering highly available machines with
VMware vSphere.

 Run multiple operating systems on a single computer including Windows, Linux and more.

 Let your Mac run Windows creating a virtual PC environment for all your Windows applications.

 Reduce capital costs by increasing energy efficiency and requiring less hardware while

increasing your server to admin ratio

 Ensure your enterprise applications perform with the highest availability and performance

 Build up business continuity through improved disaster recovery solutions and deliver high

availability throughout the datacenter

 Improve enterprise desktop management & control with faster deployment of desktops and fewer
support calls due to application conflicts

What is Virtualization?

Today’s x86 computer hardware was designed to run a single operating system and a single application,
leaving most machines vastly underutilized. Virtualization lets you run multiple virtual machines on a
single physical machine, with each virtual machine sharing the resources of that one physical computer
across multiple environments. Different virtual machines can run different operating systems and multiple
applications on the same physical computer. While others are leaping aboard the virtualization
bandwagon now, VMware is the market leader in virtualization. Our technology is production-proven,
used by more than 170,000 customers, including 100% of the Fortune 100.

How Does Virtualization Work?

The VMware virtualization platform is built on a business-ready architecture. Use software such
as VMware vSphere to transform or “virtualize” the hardware resources of an x86-based computer—
including the CPU, RAM, hard disk and network controller—to create a fully functional virtual machine that
can run its own operating system and applications just like a “real” computer. Each virtual machine
contains a complete system, eliminating potential conflicts. VMware virtualization works by inserting a thin
layer of software directly on the computer hardware or on a host operating system. This contains a virtual
machine monitor or “hypervisor” that allocates hardware resources dynamically and transparently.
Multiple operating systems run concurrently on a single physical computer and share hardware resources
with each other. By encapsulating an entire machine, including CPU, memory, operating system, and
network devices, a virtual machine is completely compatible with all standard x86 operating systems,
applications, and device drivers. You can safely run several operating systems and applications at the
same time on a single computer, with each having access to the resources it needs when it needs them.

Build your Datacenter on a Flexible Architecture

Virtualizing a single physical computer is just the beginning. You can build an entire virtual infrastructure,
scaling across hundreds of interconnected physical computers and storage devices withVMware vSphere,
a proven virtualization platform used as the foundation for building private and public clouds. You don’t
need to assign servers, storage, or network bandwidth permanently to each application. Instead, your
hardware resources are dynamically allocated when and where they’re needed within your private cloud.
Your highest priority applications always have the necessary resources without wasting money on excess
hardware only used at peak times. Connect this private cloud to a public cloud to create a hybrid cloud,
giving your business the flexibility, availability and scalability it needs to thrive.

Manage your Resources with the Lowest TCO

It’s not just virtualization that’s important. You need the management tools to run those machines and the
ability to run the wide selection of applications and infrastructure services your business depends on.
VMware lets you increase service availability while eliminating error-prone manual tasks. IT operations
are more efficient and effective with VMware virtualization. Your staff will handle double or triple the
number of servers, giving users access to the services they need while retaining centralized control.
Deliver built-in availability, security, and performance across the board, from the desktop to the
datacenter.

What is Virtualization?

Virtualization is software technology which uses a physical resource such as a server and divides it up into virtual
resources called virtual machines (VM's).  Virtualization allows users to consolidate physical resources, simplify
deployment and administration, and reduce power and cooling requirements.  Whilevirtualization technology is most
popular in the server world, virtualization technology is also being used in data storage such as Storage Area
Networks, and inside of operating systems such as Windows Server 2008 with Hyper-V.
 
Virtualization Advantages:

 Server consolidation                                                    
 Reduced power and cooling
 Green computing
 Ease of deployment and administration
 High availability and disaster recovery

Cloud computing
Cloud computing refers to the on-demand provision of computational resources (data,
software) via a computer network, rather than from a local computer. Users or clients can
submit a task, such as word processing, to the service provider, without actually possessing the
software or hardware. The consumer's computer may contain very little software or data
(perhaps a minimal operating system and web browser only), serving as little more than a
display terminal connected to the Internet. Since the cloud is the underlying delivery
mechanism, cloud based applications and services may support any type of software
application or service in use today.

In the past, both data and software had to be stored and processed on or near the computer.
The development of Local Area Networks allowed for a system in which multiple CPUs and
storage devices may be organized to increase the performance of the entire system. In an
extension to that concept, cloud computing fundamentally allows for a functional separation
between the resources used and the user's computer, usually residing outside the local
network, for example, in a remote datacenter. Consumers now routinely use data intensive
applications driven by cloud technology which were previously unavailable due to cost and
deployment complexity.[citation needed] In many companies employees and company departments
are bringing a flood of consumer technology into the workplace and this raises legal compliance
and security concerns for the corporation.[citation needed]

The term "software as a service" is sometimes used to describe programs offered through "The
Cloud".

A common shorthand for a provided cloud computing service (or even an aggregation of all
existing cloud services) is "The Cloud".[citation needed]

An analogy to explain cloud computing is that of public utilities such as electricity, gas, and
water. Centralized and standardized utilities freed individuals from the difficulties of generating
electricity or pumping water. All of the development and maintenance tasks involved in doing so
was alleviated. With Cloud computing, this translates to a reduced cost in software distribution
to providers who still use hard mediums such as DVDs. Consumer benefits are that software no
longer has to be installed and is automatically updated but savings in terms of dollars is yet to
be seen.

The principle behind the cloud is that any computer connected to the Internet is connected to
the same pool of computing power, applications, and files. Users can store and access personal
files such as music, pictures, videos, and bookmarks or play games or do word processing on
a remote server rather than physically carrying around a storage medium such as a DVD or
thumb drive. Even those who use web-based email such as Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, a company
owned email, or even an e-mail client program such as Outlook, Evolution, Mozilla
Thunderbird or Entourage are making use of cloud email servers. Hence, desktop applications
which connect to cloud email can also be considered cloud applications.

How it works
Cloud computing utilizes the network as a means to connect the user to resources that are
based in the 'cloud', as opposed to actually possessing them. The 'cloud' may be accessed via
the Internet or a company network, or both. Cloud services may be designed to work equally
well with Linux, Mac and Windows platforms. With smartphones and tablets on the rise, cloud
services have changed to allow access from any device connected to the Internet, allowing
mobile workers access on-the-go, as in telecommuting, and extending the reach of business
services provided by outsourcing.

The service provider may pool the processing power of multiple remote computers in "the cloud"
to achieve the task, such as backing up of large amounts of data, word processing, or
computationally intensive work. These tasks would normally be difficult, time consuming, or
expensive for an individual user or a small company to accomplish, especially with limited
computing resources and funds. With 'cloud computing', clients only require a simple computer,
such as netbooks which were created with cloud computing in mind, or even a smartphone, with
a connection to the Internet, or a company network, in order to make requests to and receive
data from the cloud, hence the term "software as a service" (SaaS). Computation and storage is
divided among the remote computers in order to handle large volumes of both, thus the client
need not purchase expensive hardware or software to handle the task. The outcome of the
processing task is returned to the client over the network, depending on the speed of the
Internet connection.

Ethernet ( /ˈiːθərˌnɛt/) is a family of frame-based computer networking technologies for local

area networks (LAN). It defines a number of wiring and signaling standards for the Physical
Layer of the standard networking model as well as a common addressing format and a variety
of Medium Access Control procedures at the lower part of the Data Link Layer.

Ethernet has been commercially available since around 1980, largely replacing competing wired
LAN standards. Most common are Ethernet over twisted pair to connect end systems, and fiber
optic versions for site backbones. It is standardized as IEEE 802.3.
Definition: Ethernet is a physical and data link layer technology for local area networks (LANs).
Ethernet was invented by engineer Robert Metcalfe.
When first widely deployed in the 1980s, Ethernet supported a maximum theoretical data rate of
10 megabits per second (Mbps). Later, so-called "Fast Ethernet" standards increased this maximum data
rate to 100 Mbps. Today, Gigabit Ethernet technology further extends peak performance up to 1000
Mbps.
Higher level network protocols like Internet Protocol (IP) use Ethernet as their transmission medium.
Data travels over Ethernet inside protocol units called frames.
The run length of individual Ethernet cables is limited to roughly 100 meters, but Ethernet networks can
be easily extended to link entire schools or office buildings using network bridgedevices.

GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) is a digital mobile telephony

system that is widely used in Europe and other parts of the world. GSM uses a
variation of time division multiple access (TDMA) and is the most widely used of the
three digital wireless telephony technologies (TDMA, GSM, and CDMA). GSM
digitizes and compresses data, then sends it down a channel with two other streams of
user data, each in its own time slot. It operates at either the 900 MHz or 1800 MHz
frequency band.
Mobile services based on GSM technology were first launched in Finland in 1991.
Today, more than 690 mobile networks provide GSM services across 213 countries
and GSM represents 82.4% of all global mobile connections. According to GSM
World, there are now more than 2 billion GSM mobile phone users worldwide. GSM
World references China as "the largest single GSM market, with more than 370
million users, followed by Russia with 145 million, India with 83 million and the
USA with 78 million users."
Since many GSM network operators have roaming agreements with foreign operators,
users can often continue to use their mobile phones when they travel to other
countries. SIM cards (Subscriber Identity Module) holding home network access
configurations may be switched to those will metered local access, significantly
reducing roaming costs while experiencing no reductions in service.
GSM, together with other technologies, is part of the evolution of wireless mobile
telemmunications that includes High-Speed Circuit-Switched Data (HSCSD), General
Packet Radio System (GPRS), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), and
Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service (UMTS).

In general, broadband refers to telecommunication in which a wide band of

frequencies is available to transmit information. Because a wide band of frequencies
is available, information can be multiplexed and sent on many different frequencies
or channels within the band concurrently, allowing more information to be
transmitted in a given amount of time (much as more lanes on a highway allow more
cars to travel on it at the same time). Related terms are wideband (a
 synonym), baseband (a one-channel band), and narrowband(sometimes meaning just
wide enough to carry voice, or simply "not broadband," and sometimes meaning
specifically between 50 cps and 64 Kpbs).

What is Broadband
Broadband is a term referred to some technologies that offers high speed internet connectivity
depending on framework and environment. In general terms broadband referred to
communication technology that can employ different channels of data or data streams by using
any medium (air or Physical). Broadband is a term for wide band. It defines the speed of data
transfer rate.
 
Often this question arises in the minds of common folks that what is broadband? The literal
meaning of broadband is a wide band capturing the signals and delivering it as an independent
bandwidth channels. As term broad tells that it is related to something bigger something vast
still it limits are undefined. Roughly for about 7-10 years, you are seeing advertisements
regarding the publicity of broadband. They are boasting about so many things like, speed,
phone calls accessibility, cheaper, download acceleration etc.
 
Broadband basically works through its bandwidth. As you increase the width of the band, so you
get the speedy access to the internet. Broadband it-self usually refer to services that offer high
bandwidth over the medium of fiber optic, DSL, cellular services or broadcasting services

What is WiMAX?

 


 


WiMAX has the potential to replace a number of existing telecommunications infrastructures.  In a fixed
wireless configuration it can replace the telephone company's copper wire networks, the cable TV's
coaxial cable infrastructure while offering Internet Service Provider (ISP) services.  In its mobile variant,
WiMAX has the potential to replace cellular networks.  How do we get there?

 
What is WiMAX or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access? WiMAX is an Institute ofElectrical
and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard designated 802.16-2004 (fixed wireless applications) and
802.16e-2005 (mobile wire-less).  The industry trade group WiMAX Forum has defined WiMAX as a "last
mile" broadband wireless access (BWA) alternative to cable modem service, telephone company Digital
Subscriber Line (DSL) or T1/E1 service.
Definition: WiMAX stands for WorldWide Interoperability for Microwave Access and is technically referred to by
the IEEE as 802.16. WiMAX is also commonly termed 4G network. It is a wireless wide area network (WAN) that
can cover what DSL lines can cover, but without wires. It can give Internet connectivity to computers in the
way GSM has given phone connectivity to mobile phones and made them replace fixed landline phones.
Wired connectivity, like DSL, provides broadband access but besides being fixed, is expensive and does not reach
certain areas. On the other side, Wi-Fi, the most common wireless technology, has very limited coverage and it is
not always easy to find a Wi-Fihotspot. WiMAX comes as a solution mid-way between these two: it provides high
quality broadband access and has a very high penetrability, in that the microwaves it emits can be accessed at every
nook and corner of its large coverage area.

WiMAX can give you connectivity in your desktop computer, laptop and even mobile device. For a simple scenario,
you can connect to the Internet through your WiMAX connection at home, at work, in the park and even at the
seaside, given that your WiMAX service provider's networks covers all these places. This said, you can even make
cheap and free VoIP phone calls using a WiMAX enabled mobile phone, or simply your laptop computer.

Wi-Fi
The name of a popular wireless networking technology that uses radio waves to provide wireless high-
speed Internet and network connections. The Wi-Fi Alliance, the organization that owns the Wi-Fi
(registered trademark) term specifically defines Wi-Fi as any "wireless local area network (WLAN)
products that are based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' (IEEE) 802.11 standards."
 
Initially, Wi-Fi was used in place of only the 2.4GHz 802.11b standard, however the Wi-Fi Alliance has
expanded the generic use of the Wi-Fi term to include any type of network or WLAN product based on
any of the 802.11 standards, including 802.11b, 802.11a, dual-band, and so on, in an attempt to stop
confusion about wireless LAN interoperability.
Wi-Fi works with no physical wired connection between sender and receiver by using radio frequency
(RF) technology, a frequency within the electromagnetic spectrum associated with radio wave
propagation. When an RF current is supplied to an antenna, an electromagnetic field is created that then
is able to propagate through space. The cornerstone of any wireless network is an access point (AP). The
primary job of an access point is to broadcast a wireless signal  that computers can detect and "tune" into.
In order to connect to an access point and join a wireless network, computers and devices must be
equipped with wireless network adapters (See "How Wireless Networks Work" in the "Did You Know..."
section of Webopedia).
Wi-Fi  is supported by many applications and devices including video game consoles,
home networks, PDAs, mobile phones, major operating systems, and other types of consumer
electronics.  Any products that are tested and approved as "Wi-Fi Certified" (a registered trademark) by
the Wi-Fi Alliance are certified as interoperable with each other, even if they are from different
manufacturers. For example, a user with a Wi-Fi Certified product can use any brand of access point with
any other brand of client hardware that also is also "Wi-Fi Certified". Products that pass this certification
are required to carry an identifying seal on their packaging that states "Wi-Fi Certified" and indicates
the radio frequency band used (2.5GHz for 802.11b,  802.11g, or 802.11n, and 5GHz for 802.11a).

A common misconception is that the term Wi-Fi is short for "wireless fidelity," however this is not the case.
Wi-Fi is simply a trademarked term meaning IEEE 802.11x.

Systems integrator (SI)

A systems integrator (SI) is an individual or business that builds computing systems
for clients by combining hardware and software products from multiple vendors.
Using a systems integrator, a company can align cheaper, pre-configured components
and off-the-shelf software to meet key business goals, as opposed to more expensive,
customized implementations that may require original programming or manufacture
of unique components. Creation of these information systems may include designing
or building a customized architecture or application, integrating it with new or
existing hardware, packaged and custom software, and communications infrastructure.
Some systems integrators working in specialized areas, like SAP installations or
upgrades, may offer more customization for specific applications.
Systems integration has traditionally been a crucial specialty in the defense
contracting industry. Proprietary, closed systems needs to be upgraded or, as is often
the case, legacy hardware or software must be preserved within modern computing
networks, graphical user interfaces (GUIs) or hardware connection standards.