Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Components
Component-level updates are less common than they were a decade ago, a
result of integrated on-board components in larger-scale integrated circuit
designs. Input/output and communications components remain chal-
lenging for larger enterprises, where drivers and configuration settings
may have to be adjusted when replacing a component using a similar
unit from a different vendor or batch. This is particularly troublesome for
governmental agencies where the procurement process is long-cycle and
regularly changes vendors based on yearly bidding cycles.
Thorough testing and documentation of hardware inventories at the
component level can rapidly escalate device-level total cost of ownership
beyond the rip-and-replace cost. This becomes much more significant
when devices are kept in operation beyond design or warranty limits,
when availability of compatible components and cost per service call can
generate significant additional costs in lost time and productivity.
Tech Refresh
Tech update or refresh practices form one of the most hotly debated
issues in enterprise networks of all sizes. Some businesses choose to buy
the best-in-class system available and press it into service for as long as
possible, while others buy low-to-midrange systems and plan to replace
them at the end of their warranty cycle. Other strategies exist, with a few
common options:
•
Until dead
—Many businesses attempt to gain the greatest possible
economic return on technology investments by maintaining equip-
ment in service until it simply stops working and can no longer be
repaired. As an example, numerous VAX/VMS clusters well over
a decade old are still being used in production environments. This
option provides the greatest stability in the operating environment
but at times presents challenges for system integrators who may face
resource constraints (remember Moore's and Kryder's laws) and com-
patibility with emerging technologies. Component replacement costs
are also increasingly high as directly compatible equivalents become
unavailable. Media and storage formats also become problematic in
these environments, in which compatibility becomes a challenge for
