
Infrastructure Architecture (IA) is a critical aspect of Enterprise Architecture that focuses on the hardware, software, and network components required to support business applications and data. It ensures that the underlying technology infrastructure is robust, scalable, and secure.
6 minutes
The Intent
What is Infrastructure Architecture?
Infrastructure Architecture defines the foundational technology components necessary to support an organization’s IT environment. It encompasses the design, implementation, and management of hardware, software, and network resources to ensure they meet business requirements and support organizational goals.
What’s Important?
Robustness ensures that the IT infrastructure is resilient and capable of supporting business operations without interruptions.
Scalability allows the infrastructure to grow and adapt to increasing demands and new business requirements.
Security protects the organization’s data and systems from threats, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
Performance optimizes the performance of IT systems, ensuring efficient and effective operation.
Cost Efficiency helps in planning and managing IT investments to maximize return on investment (ROI).
Brief History
Infrastructure Architecture has evolved significantly over the past few decades, driven by the need for businesses to streamline operations, remain agile, and stay organized.
Early Days
1990s
2000s
2010s – Present
The Work
What’s involved?
When approaching implementing IA, it’s essential to understand the purpose of each significant aspect of a fully designed framework.
Servers
Includes the computational power necessary to run applications and services.
Focus on ensuring that servers are scalable, reliable, and efficient.
Components for physical servers, virtual servers, and cloud-based servers.
Storage
Includes the capacity required to store and manage data securely.
Focus on ensuring data availability, integrity, and performance.
Components for arrays, cloud storage, and data backup solutions.
Networks
Includes validating communication and data exchange requirements between all systems.
Focus on ensuring network reliability, performance, and security.
Components for local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and virtual private networks (VPNs).
Middleware
Includes establishing an intermediary layer that enables communication and data management between applications.
Focus on ensuring seamless integration and interoperability of applications.
Components for application servers, message brokers, and enterprise service buses (ESBs).
Client Devices
Includes all ways end-users with access to applications and services.
Focus on ensuring that client devices are secure, reliable, and capable of supporting user needs.
Components for desktops, laptops, mobile devices, and thin clients.
The Role
What are the responsibilities?
Infrastructure Architects play a crucial role in developing and maintaining the IA Key responsibilities include:
Designing infrastructure solutions creating architectural designs and blueprints for the IT infrastructure.
Managing infrastructure components overseeing the deployment, configuration, and management of servers, storage, networks, and middleware.
Ensuring scalability and robustness by implementing best practices and standards to ensure the infrastructure can scale and remain resilient.
Enhancing security by implementing measures to protect the infrastructure from threats and ensure compliance.
Collaborating with stakeholders, business leaders, technoloy teams, and vendors to understand requirements and deliver effective solutions.
What are the required skills?
Technical expertise with a deep understanding of hardware, software, networking, and security technologies.
Analytical skills and the ability to analyze complex infrastructure requirements while identifying opportunities for improvement.
Communication and collaboration to engage with stakeholders and lead cross-functional teams.
Problem-solving with the ability to troubleshoot infrastructure-related issues and develop practical solutions.
Knowledge of best practices and familiarity with industry standards and best practices in infrastructure architecture.
The Department
What makes up IA?
The Chief Infrastructure Architect leads the infrastructure architecture practice and ensures alignment with business goals.
Network Architects focus on designing and maintaining network infrastructure.
Systems Architects specialize in server and storage infrastructure.
Security Architects ensure that security measures are integrated into the infrastructure design.
Infrastructure Analysts support the architects by conducting research, analysis, and documentation.
Who do they interact with?
The IA department collaborates with various other departments, including technology operations, application development, and business units, to ensure cohesive and aligned strategies.
Business Readiness
What must happen before IA?
For IA to be successful, it must be closely aligned with business needs. This involves:
Stakeholder analysis involves identifying key stakeholders and understanding their requirements and expectations.
Infrastructure mapping documents existing infrastructure components to identify gaps and areas for improvement.
Strategic planning aligns infrastructure architecture initiatives with the organization’s strategic objectives and priorities.
How do you build a case for IA?
Cost-benefit analysis will demonstrate the potential savings and benefits of implementing an IA framework.
Risk assessment identifies the risks associated with current infrastructure management practices and how Infrastructure Architecture can mitigate them.
Value proposition clearly articulates the value IA brings to the organization in terms of robustness, scalability, and security.
Organizational Readiness
What are the essential cultural aspects?
For IA to thrive, the organization must foster a culture that supports innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. This includes:
Leadership support with a commitment from top management to drive IA initiatives.
Change management processes to manage the cultural shift towards an infrastructure-centric approach.
Are there technical considerations?
Technical readiness involves ensuring that the organization’s IT infrastructure can support the IA framework. This includes:
Current state assessment evaluates the existing infrastructure environment to identify gaps and areas for improvement.
Capability development focuses on investing in the necessary tools, technologies, and training to support IA activities.
Is process improvement necessary?
Effective IA requires well-defined processes for governance, decision-making, and implementation. This involves:
Governance framework establishes clear policies and standards for infrastructure management practices.
Lifecycle management processes for managing the entire lifecycle of infrastructure components, from deployment to retirement.
Take Away
Infrastructure Architecture is a critical discipline that enables organizations to manage their hardware, software, and network resources effectively, ensuring they are robust, scalable, and secure. By understanding the work involved, the role of the infrastructure architect, and the readiness requirements, organizations can effectively implement Infrastructure Architecture to support their long-term success.