Today’s information technology is very different from what it was a few years ago. Nowadays, the importance of IT infrastructure services has increased. Infrastructure is now expected to help businesses become agile, secure and service-oriented. Ineffective IT infrastructure management can lead to the loss of not only valuable time, but also money. Let’s understand what IT infrastructure is and how it can benefit you.
What is IT infrastructure
IT infrastructure is everything related to technology within a company. It is all the components that a company uses when managing data.
IT infrastructure components include everything from hardware and software to data storage methods and cybersecurity protocols. It also includes all IT-related hiring, training, policies, processes, upgrades and repairs. In other words, it’s everything related to the technology that production uses.
You could say that IT infrastructure is similar to building infrastructure in the sense that it consists of physical components. There are the applications that support key functions, the servers that host the applications, and the data centers that house the servers. There is also the network infrastructure that facilitates access to applications and services for the business.
The focus is on the following IT infrastructure components:
- Hardware;
- Software;
- Network;
- Wireless/wireless access;
- Virtual and remote assets;
- Data centers.
Categories of IT management
IT infrastructure management is sometimes divided into three subcategories of management: systems management, network management and storage management.
Systems management
Systems management covers a wide range of key activities in IT management and includes the administration of all IT components. The CTO typically oversees the day-to-day operations of the data center and manages the integration of new applications and third-party services into the organization’s hybrid cloud environment.
Systems management actions include certain actions that detect and prevent information security threats in time. Moreover, log management, workload automation, configuration management, and integration of cloud applications and services all fall under systems management.
Network Management
IT security analysts manage and configure an organization’s networks. Professionals allocate resources to the applications and services where they are needed, and maintain the quality and availability of services. Network management also includes a security element, as IT operators must maintain network visibility to monitor security status and protect against unauthorized access and data leakage.
Storage Management
Storage space is a limited and valuable asset for organizations. Therefore, a critical aspect of IT infrastructure management is secure data storage.
These include:
- virtual environments;
- Providing access to storage centers;
- Data compression and security.
Automation and virtualization techniques allow enterprises to quickly reallocate storage resources where needed. Other management techniques, such as data replication, mirroring and security, help protect against data loss or theft.
Why manage your IT infrastructure?
- Regular enterprise operations.
The main purpose of IT infrastructure management is to keep the company running smoothly by preventing downtime and data loss. Infrastructure management allows a faster response to emergencies or other outages.
- Predicting and preventing emergencies.
Infrastructure management services that include intelligent automation give businesses the ability to predict maintenance rather than approach it as it occurs. Proactive maintenance reduces the likelihood of unplanned outages and unproductive downtime.
- employee efficiency.
Infrastructure management allows employees to choose more efficient ways to work with information and streamline workflows.
- Resource allocation.
IT infrastructure management allows you to plan the use of resources. The company can reduce production costs and monitor the condition of technical equipment in real time.
Creation of IT infrastructure
There are several basic elements in any IT infrastructure, which should be given high priority.
Hardware
Obviously, without hardware, there will be no infrastructure. To begin with, a company should make sure that the company has all the necessary technical equipment, including the necessary servers.
A practical server costing no more than a desktop computer can serve 25 or more users, but for most small operations, the ratio of one server to ten users will be ideal.
Software
Software issues range from the operating system on which the network will run to the productivity tools the team needs for day-to-day office operations. The company should think about the needs of the business ahead of time and look closely at tools and software that will help and optimize technical processes.
System audit
The purpose of the audit is to find the weaknesses of the system and to work out the ways to eliminate them. In addition, as a result of the audit specialist will have a complete picture of the work of all server components. Also, the result of the system audit will show how suitable they are for the introduction of new software.
In the action plan, it is important to reflect each stage of IT infrastructure implementation. It is necessary to detail the goals, outline the development strategy and draw up regulations for working with the infrastructure. The plan should also include all the wishes of the technical specialists, the terms of reference and the company’s objectives. Based on the results of the plan the company will be able to estimate the entire process of work, and calculate the resource investment in the construction of IT infrastructure.
Introduction of a support service
The support service will be responsible for working with users. The support team should include experienced specialists, who will be able to promptly respond to user requests and solve problems.
Monitoring tools
Monitoring is necessary to maintain the overall performance of the infrastructure as well as to prevent failures.
The main monitoring tools include:
- inventory;
- checking the serviceability of equipment;
- Document analysis.
Specialists use these tools both comprehensively and individually. It is important to understand that each check should end with a detailed report on the state of all systems.
How to effectively manage the IT infrastructure
Because IT managers are responsible for the design, implementation, maintenance and decommissioning of each of the IT infrastructure elements, it is essential to understand best practices for managing them.
IT infrastructure management best practices include:
- Knowledge Gathering;
- Creating and implementing management standards;
- Keeping all management regulations up to date;
- Applying all provisions of management standards and regulations.
Through effective management, it is easier to keep all the components of the IT infrastructure up and running. This leads to increased productivity, reduces costs to the enterprise, and increases employee and customer satisfaction.
