Information Technology Management Essentials
WGU D075 Study Review Notes.
Unit 2 Foundations of ITM.
Module 1: Components of IT Infrastructure
Infrastructure: The underlying foundation or basic framework for an
organization or project.
Paradigms shift so quickly that it is difficult to decide what technological
concepts are real, what will last, and what will happen next.
Information technology (IT) is the study, design, development,
implementation, support, and management of computer-based
information systems, particularly software and hardware.
IT infrastructure (IT architecture) is a combination of hardware—like
computers, monitors, and printers—and software—like Microsoft Excel
and Adobe Photoshop— installed on a network that allows employees
of a business to be productive.
The components of IT infrastructure include hardware, software as well as
the data and information it holds. Networks that connect people and
computers are a big part of IT infrastructure as well as its security
mechanisms that protect it.
The six components of IT Infrastructure are:
1. Hardware
2. Software
3. Networks
4. Data
5. People
6. Processes
Hardware: makes up the physical and tangible parts of a
computer
Central Processing Unit (CPU) microprocessor chip; is the “brains” of
the computer and executes instructions required by the software.
Monitor to output information to an end user
Keyboard and mouse for input
Disk drives to store data and information
Random-access memory (RAM) for short-term and working
memory Network interface card (NIC) that connects to a network
Main circuit board, called a motherboard.
Motherboard: has circuits printed on it that provide pathways for data to
be exchanged between all the components connected to it.
Peripheral devices reside outside of the computer, printers and scanners
used by cord or wi-fi.
Software: is a set of computer instructions that tell the
computer how to work and actually perform computer tasks.
, APPLICATION- is defined as software an end user chooses to use, like
Excel that accomplishes a specific task for the user.
SYSTEM- like the Microsoft Windows operating system, supports a
computer's basic functions, such as scheduling tasks, executing
applications, and controlling peripherals.
UTILITY- performs a particular function in the "background"; in other
words, it requires little or no interaction with the user, but it is essential to
the functioning of the computer.
Networks: Computer networks include devices such as
routers, switches, and communication links that allow the
computer systems to communicate with each other no matter
the distance or location.
AKA “backbone” of the IT infrastructure.
Data: After finances is the most valuable asset a company can
acquire
People: are key to an IT infrastructure. Not just the IT gurus who
know how to install, manage, and fix IT hardware and software, but also
those who use the
systems to perform their daily functions.
Processes: the applications that a business uses in its daily
operations.
These are the functions that the end users defined above are working with
on a daily basis.
Computer Competency: paramount to success. Savings on time, cost,
and improved customer service.
Critical thinking is a way of thinking that involves analysis and evaluation
and includes considering all possible outcomes in order to form a solid
decision.
Best Practice
A management process, technique, or method that is most effective at
arriving at a desired outcome or a better outcome than any other process,
technique, or method.
Gordon Moore: Moore's law states that computing power doubles every 18
months.
Followers: Organizations abstain from buying new technology and wait
for it to improve from its original version, believing that there is no
competitive advantage to be gained.
Leaders (Early Adopters): organizations buy new technology as it
comes to market in the hopes that it will afford them a competitive
advantage.
Lesson 2: Components of Hardware, Software, and Data
,Hypertext Markup Language (HTML): The major markup language
used to create web pages.
, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP): Protocol used to define how
messages are formatted and transmitted on the internet.
Devices that act like a traffic cop in a network.
(Network)
Routers forward information throughout a network
Switches filter the information to the correct part of a network
Hubs are a common point of connection on a network
Client/Server means that information is stored in a central location like
a specialized server computer that serves information to many "client"
computers connected to it
For instance, if a client made a request to a server by clicking on a
hyperlink, the server would "serve" up a web page and send it to that
client.
Business Computing Hardware
Mainframe Computers: are massive, room-sized computers that process and
store enormous amounts of bulk data and information.
Midrange Computers (minicomputers): are less powerful and smaller in
physical size than mainframe computers; they do many of the same things
but on a smaller scale.
Microcomputers: are smaller than mainframes and midrange computers
and are so common that they are most commonly referred to simply as
computers (boxes).
Least powerful computers in terms of processing: AKA desktop, laptop,
tablet, and handheld.
Desktop/Laptop: Desktop resides on desk, Laptop is portable.
Handheld: referred to as personal digital assistants or PDAs, are
compact but far less powerful than desktops or laptops. Used to organize
information.
Business Computing Software
There are two basic categories of software: system software and
application software.
Software is a program that enables a computer to work.
An operating system (platform) a collection of computer programs that
work together to manage hardware and software to ensure that they are
working properly.
An OS allocates memory, administers input and output and manages files.
(EX: Windows, MAC iOS)
One of the most important jobs of an operating system is file management,
that is, storing and organizing files in the memory of a computer. Operating
systems are made up of a hierarchy of directories, typically called folders.
WGU D075 Study Review Notes.
Unit 2 Foundations of ITM.
Module 1: Components of IT Infrastructure
Infrastructure: The underlying foundation or basic framework for an
organization or project.
Paradigms shift so quickly that it is difficult to decide what technological
concepts are real, what will last, and what will happen next.
Information technology (IT) is the study, design, development,
implementation, support, and management of computer-based
information systems, particularly software and hardware.
IT infrastructure (IT architecture) is a combination of hardware—like
computers, monitors, and printers—and software—like Microsoft Excel
and Adobe Photoshop— installed on a network that allows employees
of a business to be productive.
The components of IT infrastructure include hardware, software as well as
the data and information it holds. Networks that connect people and
computers are a big part of IT infrastructure as well as its security
mechanisms that protect it.
The six components of IT Infrastructure are:
1. Hardware
2. Software
3. Networks
4. Data
5. People
6. Processes
Hardware: makes up the physical and tangible parts of a
computer
Central Processing Unit (CPU) microprocessor chip; is the “brains” of
the computer and executes instructions required by the software.
Monitor to output information to an end user
Keyboard and mouse for input
Disk drives to store data and information
Random-access memory (RAM) for short-term and working
memory Network interface card (NIC) that connects to a network
Main circuit board, called a motherboard.
Motherboard: has circuits printed on it that provide pathways for data to
be exchanged between all the components connected to it.
Peripheral devices reside outside of the computer, printers and scanners
used by cord or wi-fi.
Software: is a set of computer instructions that tell the
computer how to work and actually perform computer tasks.
, APPLICATION- is defined as software an end user chooses to use, like
Excel that accomplishes a specific task for the user.
SYSTEM- like the Microsoft Windows operating system, supports a
computer's basic functions, such as scheduling tasks, executing
applications, and controlling peripherals.
UTILITY- performs a particular function in the "background"; in other
words, it requires little or no interaction with the user, but it is essential to
the functioning of the computer.
Networks: Computer networks include devices such as
routers, switches, and communication links that allow the
computer systems to communicate with each other no matter
the distance or location.
AKA “backbone” of the IT infrastructure.
Data: After finances is the most valuable asset a company can
acquire
People: are key to an IT infrastructure. Not just the IT gurus who
know how to install, manage, and fix IT hardware and software, but also
those who use the
systems to perform their daily functions.
Processes: the applications that a business uses in its daily
operations.
These are the functions that the end users defined above are working with
on a daily basis.
Computer Competency: paramount to success. Savings on time, cost,
and improved customer service.
Critical thinking is a way of thinking that involves analysis and evaluation
and includes considering all possible outcomes in order to form a solid
decision.
Best Practice
A management process, technique, or method that is most effective at
arriving at a desired outcome or a better outcome than any other process,
technique, or method.
Gordon Moore: Moore's law states that computing power doubles every 18
months.
Followers: Organizations abstain from buying new technology and wait
for it to improve from its original version, believing that there is no
competitive advantage to be gained.
Leaders (Early Adopters): organizations buy new technology as it
comes to market in the hopes that it will afford them a competitive
advantage.
Lesson 2: Components of Hardware, Software, and Data
,Hypertext Markup Language (HTML): The major markup language
used to create web pages.
, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP): Protocol used to define how
messages are formatted and transmitted on the internet.
Devices that act like a traffic cop in a network.
(Network)
Routers forward information throughout a network
Switches filter the information to the correct part of a network
Hubs are a common point of connection on a network
Client/Server means that information is stored in a central location like
a specialized server computer that serves information to many "client"
computers connected to it
For instance, if a client made a request to a server by clicking on a
hyperlink, the server would "serve" up a web page and send it to that
client.
Business Computing Hardware
Mainframe Computers: are massive, room-sized computers that process and
store enormous amounts of bulk data and information.
Midrange Computers (minicomputers): are less powerful and smaller in
physical size than mainframe computers; they do many of the same things
but on a smaller scale.
Microcomputers: are smaller than mainframes and midrange computers
and are so common that they are most commonly referred to simply as
computers (boxes).
Least powerful computers in terms of processing: AKA desktop, laptop,
tablet, and handheld.
Desktop/Laptop: Desktop resides on desk, Laptop is portable.
Handheld: referred to as personal digital assistants or PDAs, are
compact but far less powerful than desktops or laptops. Used to organize
information.
Business Computing Software
There are two basic categories of software: system software and
application software.
Software is a program that enables a computer to work.
An operating system (platform) a collection of computer programs that
work together to manage hardware and software to ensure that they are
working properly.
An OS allocates memory, administers input and output and manages files.
(EX: Windows, MAC iOS)
One of the most important jobs of an operating system is file management,
that is, storing and organizing files in the memory of a computer. Operating
systems are made up of a hierarchy of directories, typically called folders.
