A Guide to Technology Infrastructure Examples and Components

Technology has gradually grown to become a crucial part of society with the significant role it performs in daily activities. This role is possible with the support that technology infrastructure like software, hardware, devices, structures, and facilities, provides. Understanding technology infrastructure examples can help prepare you for multiple technology-based roles in the job market. In this article, we examine the definition of technology infrastructure, examine why it's important to review examples of it, explore its various components, and share everyday technology infrastructure examples.

What is technology infrastructure?

Technology infrastructure refers to the components that make the operation and management of enterprise IT services and IT environments possible. This infrastructure includes all hardware, software, networks, and facilities companies use to create, test, deliver, control, and support IT services. Companies can share resources or deliver services internally or externally to their clients with technology infrastructure.

Why is it important to review technology infrastructure examples?

Learning about technology infrastructure examples can be helpful because they can offer a range of benefits to your team when applied properly. These advantages may include improved productivity, security, and information management. This infrastructure is typically specific to a team or company and grows at the same rate.

Components of technology infrastructure

Technology infrastructure usually entails the components below:

Hardware

Hardware consists of all the physical components and devices that make the infrastructure function. These devices typically offer support to software. Graphics cards, hard disk drives, and RAM are examples of internal hardware, often known as components. Keyboards, monitors, projectors, and printers are examples of external hardware, typically referred to as peripherals.

Software

Software is a written program or set of procedures or rules governing the operation of a computer system, and they include all the applications that an organization's IT enterprise uses to provide its services, either internally to employees or externally to clients. Software can either be system software or application software. System software refers to platforms that allow other software to run. Examples are operating systems like Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux. They are critical to the operation of IT infrastructure because they manage the hardware, enabling it to connect to all the physical resources it needs to function.

Developers create application software to perform a specific activity. This activity can be as simple as typing text, and it can also be as complex as storing and computing data. Examples may include web servers, content management systems (CMS), customer relationship management (CRM), and enterprise resource planning (ERP).

Network

A network is the connection of all the elements and devices in an IT infrastructure to facilitate data exchange. When connected to the same network, all the devices within an infrastructure can function as a unit. A network includes all hardware and software elements that bring about internet connectivity, networking, firewall, and security. Examples of hardware network devices include routers, switches, and cables.

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Meatware

Meatware refers to the human users that trigger computing processes by operating the computer. Professionals typically use the term to describe the human element within a computer system because they help ensure the system performs its functions. Examples of meatware in IT infrastructure include developers, network administrators, designers, and end-users.

Technology infrastructure examples

The following are typical technology infrastructure examples that you may encounter:

Networking

Network infrastructures are hardware and software systems that enable communication, connectivity, and computing between users, services, applications, and processes. Networking might have limits, such as connectivity within a small office, and be broad as a global network like the internet. The following are some examples of devices and systems that make up the networking infrastructure:

• Network security applications

• Operating systems

• Firewall

• Network operations and management

• Routers

• Switches

• LAN cards

• Wireless routers

• Cables

• Wireless protocols

• Satellite

• IP addressing

Computing

Computing infrastructure includes hardware and software devices and services that enable end-user computers, servers, operating systems, databases, and storage systems to function. It also includes many computer components and peripherals, such as a mouse or keyboard. Examples of computing infrastructure include:

• File and disk storage services

• Networks

• Authentication and authorization

• Operating systems

• Computers

• Cables

• Routers

• Repeaters

• Printers

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Operating systems

Operating systems are system software that enables a user to access a computer system. They also enable the control and management of a computer's software and hardware resources and manage its processes and memory among the applications that need them. The following are examples of operating systems in technology infrastructure:

• Microsoft Windows

• macOS

• Linux

• Apple iOS

• Android

• Ubuntu

• Solaris

Telecommunications

Telecommunication is the long-distance transfer of information through electromagnetic technologies. Many networking and communications services and equipment make these connections possible. Some of the infrastructure involved are:

• Telephone wires

• Cables

• Satellites

• Microwaves

• 5G mobile networks

Databases

Databases are software and hardware that helps to collect, organize, store, and use data. Data is central to the functioning of the computer for various personal and institutional uses. Many computer services and devices require data to function, and you can collate and analyze that data with any of the following systems:

• Microsoft Access

• MySQL

• Microsoft SQL Server

• FileMaker Pro

• Oracle Database

• dBASE

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IT services

Information technology (IT) service providers typically offer their customers support, which allows them to use IT without managing complexities such as maintenance, security, scalability, and resilience. These services make it easier and more cost-effective for organizations to employ IT for their processes. Examples of IT services are:

• Systems

• Applications

• Data visualization

• Knowledge management

• End-user devices

• Data processing

• Data storage

• APIs

• Information security

Platforms

Platforms refer to the environment that allows users to execute processes with systems and applications. They may include hardware architecture and software frameworks that allow an application or program to run. Examples of platforms in technology infrastructure include:

• SAP Cloud

• Microsoft Azure

• Heroku

• IBM Cloud Foundry

• Oracle Cloud Platform

• Cloudways

• Red Hat OpenShift

• Salesforce Lightning

Internet of things

Internet of things refers to products that aren't traditional computing devices but possess computing capabilities. These objects have the software and ability to connect and communicate with other devices and systems over a network, most often the internet. They can also collect usage details and other data, which they share with other devices. Such devices have become common across multiple sectors and industries. Examples are:

• Connected appliances

• Smart home security systems

• Autonomous farming equipment

• Wearable health monitors

• Smart factory equipment

• Wireless inventory trackers

• Home automation

• Biometric security systems

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Space

Space programs often require support from basic computer systems, hardware, and vehicles to be effective. This support covers spacecraft design, celestial mechanics, mission control, and data gathering and processing of data generated by the spacecraft. Examples include:

• Satellites

• Deep-space communication

• Space vehicles

• Autonomous flight termination systems

• Floating launch vehicle operations platform

Building technology

The engineering and construction industry has invested increasingly in digital technology over the last few years. These technologies help in refining operational processes and procedures in the industry. They also help to construct innovative facilities that are responsive to the environment. The following are examples of building technology infrastructure:

• Data collection apps

• Drones

• Building information modelling software

• Virtual reality and wearables

• 3D printing

• Artificial intelligence

• Building automation systems

• Power and cooling

• Sound masking

• Cabling infrastructure

Smart cities

Urban areas may experience social, environmental, and physical challenges. Creating smart cities is a way to maximize information and communication technologies to deploy and promote safe and sustainable solutions to those challenges. Examples of smart city technologies include:

• Application programming interfaces (APIs)

• Artificial intelligence

• Cloud computing

• Dashboards

• Machine learning

• Machine-to-machine communications

• Mesh networks

• Earthquake warning systems

Transportation

Transportation, the movement of goods and people from one location to another, is often critical to the success of society. With technology, there has been a gradual transformation in the means of transportation to increase efficiency, ease, and safety. The following examples are results of the increasing fusion of technology with transportation:

• Hyperloops

• Underground tunnelling

• Aerospace

• Autonomous vehicles

• Last-mile robots

• Electric vehicles

• High-speed trains

• Air traffic control systems

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Energy

Energy infrastructure refers to the organizational framework that allows for large-scale energy transmission from manufacturer to consumer, including regulating and managing circulation. This infrastructure involves many components, including electricity generation, transmission, distribution, oil and natural gas distribution pipelines, and oil refineries. Examples of technology usage in energy are:

• Solar energy

• Fossil fuel

• Photovoltaics

• Power generation

• Solar radiation

• Biomass

• Waste to energy

Agriculture

Scientists and innovators have used technology to improve yield, efficiency, and profitability for core agricultural purposes. They have deployed it in areas such as meteorology and climatology, mechanization, disease and pest control, harvesting, processing and storage, and irrigation. Here are some examples of agricultural technology infrastructure:

• GIS software and GPS agriculture

• Satellite imagery

• Drone and other aerial imagery

• Farming software and online data

• Merging datasets

• Harvest automation

• Seeding and weeding

• Autonomous tractors

• Seawater greenhouses

Please note that none of the companies, institutions, or organizations mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.