CHAPTER 9:

SYSTEM
ARCHITECTUR
E

SYSTEM

ARCHITECTURE translates the logical

design of an information
system into a physical
structure that includes
hardware, software,
network support, and

SYSTEM
ARCHITECTURE
CHECKLIST

System Architecture
Checklist

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

The objective of ERP is to establish a
company- wide strategy for using IT
resources

The main advantage of ERP is that it

describes a specific hardware and software
environment, also called a platform, that
ensures connectivity and easy integration

Supply Chain Management (SCM)

System Architecture
Checklist
Initial

Cost and TCO - During the

final design stage, you make decisions

that will have a major impact on the
initial costs and TCO for the new system.
You

should review all previous cost

estimates and ask the following
questions which can be seen in the
handouts.

System Architecture
Checklist
Scalability

refers to a systems ability

to expand, change or downsize easily to
meet the changing need of a business
enterprise

Also

called extensibility.

Especially

important in implementing
systems that are volume-rated, such as
transaction processing systems

System Architecture
Checklist
Web Integration - An information system
includes applications
program that handles the input, manage
the processing logic, and provide the
required output
Web-centric architecture
Avoids many of the connectivity and
compatibility problems that typically arise
E-marketplaces

System Architecture
Checklist
Legacy

System Interface
Requirements The new system might

have to interface with one or more legacy

systems
Interfacing a new system with a legacy
system involves analysis of data formats
and compatibility
The analyst must know if the new
application eventually will replace the
legacy system

System Architecture
Checklist
Processing

Options In

planning the architecture, designers

also must consider how the system
will process data - online or in
batches
Provision

must be made for backup

and speedy recovery in the event of
system failure

System Architecture
Checklist
Security

Issues Security threats and

defenses are a major concern to a systems

analyst

The analyst must consider security issues

that relate to system design specifications

Web-based systems introduce additional

security concerns

PLANNING THE
ARCHITECTURE

Planning the Architecture

Servers

is a computer that supplies data,

processing services, or other support to one
or more computers, called clients.
Mainframe

Architecture

a system design where the server

sometimes performs all the processing.

Planning the Architecture

Server-based Processing Companies

installed terminals at remote locations, so
that users could enter and access data
from anywhere in the organization,
regardless of where the centralized
computer was located

Terminal included a keyboard and

display screen to handle input and output,
but lacked independent processing
capability

Planning the Architecture

Clients

As PC technology exploded in
the mid-1980s and 1990s, powerful
microcomputers quickly appeared on
corporate desktops
Users found that they could run their own
word processing, spreadsheet, and
database applications
Companies linked the stand-alone
computers into networks

Planning the Architecture

Stand-Alone

Computing when an
individual user works in stand-alone
mode, the workstation performs all
functions of a server by storing,
accessing, and processing data, as
well as providing a user interface.

Planning the Architecture

Local

and Wide Area Networks

Local Area Network (LAN) allows sharing of

data and hardware resources
Wide Area Network (WAN) spans long
distances and can connect LANs that are
continents apart
When a user access data on a LAN or WAN, the
network is transparent because a user sees the
data as if it were stored on his or her own
workstation. Company-wide systems that connect
one or more LANs or WANs are called distributed
systems

Planning the Architecture

Client-Based

Processing

As LANs became popular, the most common LAN

configuration was a file server design. In a file
server design, also called a file sharing
architecture, an individual LAN client has a copy
of the application program installed locally,
while the data is stored on a central file server

Client/Server
Architecture

Client/Server Architecture

Client/Server Architecture - Refers to

systems that divide processing between on
or more networked clients and a central
server

Fat and Thin client

Fat client also called thick client, locates
all or most of the application processing
logic at the client
Thin client locates all or most of the
processing logic at the server

Client/Server Architecture
Client/Server

Tiers

Two-tier - UI resides on the client, all data

resides on the server and application logic
can run on either or be divided between
the two
Three-tier also called n-tier design,
has middle layer between client and server

Client/Server Architecture
Middleware

Enables the tiers to communicate and

pass data back and forth

Provides a transparent interface

- Can integrate legacy systems and Webbased applications

Client/Server Architecture

Cost-Benefit Issues
Client/server systems enable the firm to
scale the system in a rapidly changing
environment
Client/server computing also allows
companies to transfer applications from
expensive mainframes to less expensive
client platforms
Client/server systems reduce network load
and improve response times

Client/Server Architecture

Client/Server Performance Issues

In contrast to the centralized system, a
client/server design separates applications and
data
Distributed database management system
(DDBMS)
The system is scalable, so new data sites can
be added without reworking the system design
The system is less likely to experience
catastrophic failure

Internet-Based
Architecture

Internet-Based
Architecture
Developing E-Commerce Solutions In-House
Packaged Solutions and E-commerce
Service Providers
Many vendors offer turnkey systems for
companies
Another alternative is to use an
application service provider (ASP)
Another option is managed hosting
Consider the experience of other
companies in the same industry

Internet-Based
Architecture
Corporate Portals
A corporate portal can provide access
for customers, employees, suppliers, and
the public
Cloud Computing
Effectively eliminates compatibility
issues
Scaling on demand
Requires significantly more bandwidth

Processing
Methods

Processing Methods
Online

Processing

- Handles transaction when and where

they occur and provides output directly to
users
Because it is interactive, online
processing avoids delays and allows a
constant dialog between the user and the
system
Online processing also can be used with
file-oriented systems

Processing Methods
Batch

Processing

- Data is collected and processed in

groups or batches
The IT operations group can run batch
programs on a predetermined schedule,
without user involvement, during regular
business hours, at night, or on weekends
Require significantly fewer network
resources than online systems

Network Models

Network Models
Network

allows the sharing of hardware,

software and data resources in order to
reduce expenses and provide more
capability to users

Network Models
Open

System Interconnection
(OSI) Reference Model
Describes how data actually moves
from an application on one computer to an
application of another networked computer
- The OSI model consists of seven layers
Each layer performs a specific function
Offers a set of design standards

Network Models
7

layers of OSI

Application Layer
Presentation Layer
Session Layer
Transport Layer
Network Layer
Data Link Layer
Physical Layer

Network Models
Network

Modeling Tools

As you translate the OSI logical model

into a physical model of the networked
system, you can use software tools
- Microsoft Visio

Network Models
Network

Topology the way a network is

configured. LAN and WAN networks are

typically arranged in four patterns:
A. HIERARCHICAL NETWORK
- It mirrors the actual operational flow in the
organization
- One disadvantage of a hierarchical network is
that if a business adds additional processing
levels, the network becomes more complex
and expensive to operate and maintain

Network Models
B. STAR NETWORK
- has a central computer with network
devices connected to it
- Hub is the center and it manages the
network
- Disadvantage of the star design is that
the entire network is dependent on the
switch - However, in most large star
networks, backup switches are available
immediately in case of hardware failure

Network Models
C. BUS NETWORK
- Devices can be attached or detached
from the network at any point without
disturbing the rest of the network
- Overall performance declines as more
users and devices are added
- Today, the bus design is much less
popular

Network Models
D. RING NETWORK
- resembles a circle of computers that
communicate with each other
- One disadvantage of a ring network is
that if a network device fails (such as a PC
or a server), the devices downstream from
the failed device cannot communicate with
the network
- Multistation Access Unit (MAU)

Network Models
Network

Protocols

In all cases, the network must use a

protocol, a set of standards that govern
network data transmission
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol (TCP/IP)
File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
Licensing

Issues

Wireless
Networks

Wireless Networks
A

wireless local area network, or

WLAN

Wireless

Network Standards

802.11
Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers (IEEE)
Amendments
Mbps (megabits per second)

Wireless Networks
Wireless

Network Standards

802.11g
802.11n
Multiple input/multiple output (MIMO)
Multipath design
802.11y

Wireless Networks
Wireless

Network Topologies

Basic Service Set (BSS) infrastructure

mode
Access point
Extended Service Set (ESS)
Roaming
Independence Service Set (ISS) peerto-peer mode

Wireless Networks
Wireless

Trends

Wi-Fi Alliance
Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity)
BlueTooth
On addition to 802.11 protocols for
LANs, IEEE is working on 802.16 standards
MANs (metropolitan area networks)
WiMAX

System
Management and
Support

System Management and

Support
Performance

Management

tools are designed to collect

information about system resources and
activity levels
- A performance management tool can
monitor system usage, capacity, and trends.
It also includes fine tuning the network
configuration or software settings to
optimize performance.

System Management and

Support
Fault

Management

- Main concern is to detect and resolve

operational problems as quickly as possible.
- The task includes monitoring the
system for signs of trouble, logging all
system failures, diagnosing the problem and
applying corrective actions.

System Management and

Support
Backup

refers to copying data continuously or at

prescribed intervals
Recovery

Procedures

involve restoring the data and restarting the

system after an interruption
An overall backup and recovery plan is often
called a disaster recovery plan.

System Design
Completion

System Design Completion

System

Design Specification

A typical system design specification

uses a structure similar to the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Executive Summary
System Components
System Environment
Implementation Requirements
Time and cost estimate
Appendices

System Design Completion

User

Approval

Users must review and approve the interface

design, report and menu designs, data entry
screens, source documents, and other areas of
the system that affect them
Other IT department members also need to
review the system design specification
When the system design specification is
complete, you distribute the document to a
target group of users, IT department personnel,
and company management

System Design Completion

Presentations

The first presentation is to the systems analysts,

programmers, and technical support staff members
Your next presentation is to department managers
and users from departments affected by the system
The final presentation is for company
management
Management might reach one of three decisions:
proceed with systems development, perform
additional work on the systems design phase, or
terminate the project