Understanding Internetworking Infrastructure

1
Chapter 5

• Understanding Internetworking Infrastructure

2
AGENDA

• The Network Technology Bandwagon
• The Components of Internetworking
• Networks
• Processing Systems
• Facilities
• Business Implications
• The Future

3
The Network Technology Bandwagon

• Technology Laws
• Evolution of Topologies and Technologies
• Bandwidth Explosion

4
Two Laws

• Moores Law
• The performance of chips doubles every 18 to 24
  months.
• Metcalfes Law
• The usefulness (utility? value?) of a network
  increases with the square of the number of users
  connected

5
Commentary on Moores Law

• A law of commerce
• What would make Moores Law behave differently
  (12 months? 120 months?)?
• Why does Moores Law function the way it does?
• Why doesnt Moores Law apply to other elements
  of our business culture?

6
Commentary on Metcalfes Law

• This is an analytic truth, if connection is
  usefulness
• Obviously an absurdity
• What makes Metcalfes Law true? What would
  make it false?

7
Metcalfes Law Proven
Each existing user gains access to a new user
gain1xN
New user gains access to each existing user
gainN x 1
Total gain 2 x N
By induction, cumulative value 2468
2x(1234)K x (K1) K x K for K users
8
Commentary on Both Laws

• The cost of providing the network is dropping
  exponentially
• The benefit of using networks seems to be
  increasing somehow (square?)
• The benefit/cost ratio seems to be increasing
  hyperexponentially, hence the skys the limit.

9
Evolution of Corporate IT Infrastructure
Centralized Computing
Client-Server Computing
Distributed Computing
INTER-NET
Internetworked Computing
10
Network Elements

• Local Area Networks
• Hubs, Switches, Network Adapters
• Wide Area Networks
• Routers
• Firewalls
• Caching, other Devices

11
Processing Elements

• Client Devices and Systems
• Server Devices and Systems
• Mainframe Devices and Systems
• Middleware
• Infrastructure Management Systems
• Business Applications

12
Facility Elements

• Buildings
• Physical Spaces
• Network Conduits and Connections
• Power
• Environmental Controls
• Security

13
Characteristics of Internetworks

• Open Standards
• Asynchronous Operationi
• Latency (It takes Time)
• Decentralization
• Scalability

14
Business Implications

• Real-time Infrastructures
• Better Data and Decisions
• Improved Process Visibility
• Improved Process Efficiency
• Make-and-Sell to Sense-and-Respond
• New Threats
• New Models of Service Delivery
• Need to Manage Legacies

15
The Future?