IT Infrastructure

Definition - What is IT Infrastructure?

"IT Infrastructure or Information Technology Infrastructure consists of the equipment, systems, software, and services used in common across an organization, regardless of mission/program/project. IT Infrastructure also serves as the foundation upon which mission/program/project-specific systems and capabilities are built." from cio.gov ITIL defines infrastructure more like: "All of the components (Configuration Items) that are needed to deliver IT Services to customers. The IT Infrastructure consists of more than just hardware and software." Additionally, for project planning purposes, IT Infrastructure should be subdivided into into several components:

Software Development
Software Maintenance (corrective perfective, adaptive, block changes)
Purchased Software (e.g. ERP system)
IT Infrastructure hardware (e.g. servers, switches)
IT Services (e.g software setup, help desk, computer administration)^[1]

Components of an IT Infrastructure^[2]

IT infrastructure consists of all components that somehow play a role in overall IT and IT-enabled operations. It can be used for internal business operations or developing customer IT or business solutions. Typically, a standard IT infrastructure consists of the following components:

Hardware: Servers, computers, data centers, switches, hubs and routers, etc.
Software: Enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM), productivity applications and more
Network: Network enablement, internet connectivity, firewall and security
Meatware: Human users, such as network administrators (NA), developers, designers and generic end users with access to any IT appliance or service are also part of an IT infrastructure, specifically with the advent of user-centric IT service development.

Layers of IT Infrastructure^[3]

IT Infrastructure is typically layered:

Software and applications – The things you use
Access and devices – the things you connect to the network
Servers and storage – things that provide services for your devices to consume
Network and communication – the fabric upon which the above layers communicate
Professional and managed services – the services you purchase to deliver IT projects or ensure they’re always working

source: Stonegroup UK

Below are some examples of components that may make up the layers in your organization:

Software
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
- Content Management System (CMS)
- Application software
- Project management
- Productivity software
- Time management
- Microsoft platforms (OS, office)
- Design
- Security
- Threat detection and antivirus
- Cloud platforms
- SAAS
Access and Devices
- Desktop PCs
- Laptops
- Tablets
- Printers
- Scanners
- Labelling
- AV
- Digital signage
- CCTV
Servers and storage
- Servers
- Storage
- Security
- Cloud storage
- Virtualization
- Hyperconvergence
Network and communication:
- Switches
- Routers
- Firewalls
- Wireless access points
- Physical cabling (fiber or copper cabling)
Professional services
- Flexible support packages
- Service desk
- Risk assessments
- Software/hardware audits
- Engineer visits
- Network upgrades
- Change management
- Installations and decommissions
- Migrations
- Site surveys

When designed well, all components should run smoothly, communicate freely but securely with limited maintenance or intervention required from IT Services companies. As IT Infrastructure so often underpins the very function of a company – resiliency in design and ensuring there are no single points of failure become incredibly important. With the ever-increasing threat from ever-expanding sources, security is paramount to ensuring your staff, data and IP remains yours, and your Infrastructure continues to function. Balancing security, cost, maintenance, and performance is a complex endeavor requiring a broad range of skillsets and expertise. It’s incredibly easy to waste money on IT; getting the right guidance before, during and after your major projects and investments is critical.

Types of IT Infrastructure^[4]

Traditional infrastructure: With a traditional infrastructure, the components—like datacenters, data storage, and other equipment—are all managed and owned by the business within their own facilities. Traditional infrastructure is often thought of as expensive to run and requires large amounts of hardware, like servers, as well as power and physical space.
Cloud infrastructure: Cloud infrastructure describes the components and resources needed for cloud computing. You can create a private cloud by building it yourself using resources dedicated solely to you. Or you can use a public cloud by renting cloud infrastructure from a cloud provider like Alibaba, Amazon, Google, IBM, or Microsoft. And by incorporating some degree of workload portability, orchestration, and management across multiple clouds you can create a hybrid cloud.
Hyperconverged infrastructure: Hyperconverged infrastructure allows you to manage your compute, network, and data storage resources from a single interface. With software-defined compute and data storage bundled together, you can support more modern workloads with scalable architectures on industry-standard hardware.

An optimal IT Infrastructure^[5]

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.