Data Center/Server Room Diagram

ea3-infraEA3 artifact I-8: Data Center/Server Room Diagram

This artifact is an overhead diagram of the information technology network center.  This diagram can be part of the set of blueprints, and is maintained electronically to support the numerous changes to network center(s) and server rooms that can be expected over a number of years.

datacenter

Rack Elevation Diagrams

ea3-infraEA3 artifact I-7: Rack Elevation Diagram

This diagram provides a front and rear view of each of the information technology equipment racks that  go into a network center, server room, and/or wiring closet.  This diagram supports the NI-5 and NI-6 diagrams and is maintained electronically to support the numerous changes that can be expected over a number of years.

rackelevationdiagram

Wireless Connectivity Diagram

ea3-infraEA3 artifact I-6: Wireless Connectivity Diagram

The use of wireless networks gives possibilities for new forms of connectivity inside and outside the enterprise network.

wireless-connectivity-diagram

Cable Plant Diagram

ea3-infraEA3 artifact I-5: Cable Plant Diagram

The Cable Plant Diagram shows physical connectivity between voice/data/video networks throughout the enterprise and to global suppliers.  The diagram should show the types of cable (fiber, CAT-6, etc.) and the bandwidth (T-1, OC-3, etc.) of each cable run between network centers, server rooms, wiring closets, and external connections.

cableplantdiagram

Technology Forecast

ea3-infraEA3 artifact I-4: Technology Forecast

The Technology Forecast supports and relates to the I-3 Technology Standards Profile.  The Technology Forecast documents expected changes in any of the standards listed in the I-3 artifact, where future changes appear to be happening or about to happen.

  • Captures expected changes in technology related standards and conventions
  • Identifies critical technology standards, their fragility, and impact of changes to the architecture
  • Contains specific predictions about the availability of emerging standards, and relates to specific System/Application (SA) framework elements

techforecast

Technical Standards Profile

ea3-infraEA3 artifact I-3: Technical Standards Profile

The Technology Standards Profile is a listing of business services and associated technologies that are accepted by the enterprise as being a primary or secondary standard.  Further detail can be added regarding particular types of standards.

techstandards

Configuration Management

This best practice involves an ongoing governance process and uses the network inventory, capital equipment inventory, and other EA artifacts to maintain a accurate picture of the hardware, software, and other equipment are active in the business and technology operating environment.

Configuration Management in EA documentation is very important, because the transition between current and future architectures is ongoing.

Stakeholder requests for changes to the architecture should be done via a formal process that is overseen by the Chief Architect, using something like the EA Change Request Form.
EA tools often have built-in CM capabilities.
changerequestformtemplate config-control-board

Hosting Concept of Operations

ea3-infraEA3 artifact I-2: Hosting Concept of Operations

The infrastructure sourcing model is an important architectural decision. Cloud-based hosting solutions are becoming more and more popular.

hostingconcept2 hostingconceptoperations

Network Diagram

ea3-infraEA3 artifact I-1: Network Diagram

The Network Diagram shows the physical connections between the enterprise’s voice, data, and video network… including external Wide Area Networks (WANs) and Local Area Networks (LANs)… also called ‘extranets’ and ‘intranets.’

networkdiagram

Software License Inventory

ea3-sysEA3 artifact A-11: Software License Inventory

Software Asset Management (SAM) enables strategic infrastructure planning, prevents over-licensing and under-licensing, and identifies over-deployment of hardware and its associated costs.

It also allows the IT department to control exactly what software an employee can access and significantly reduces the opportunity for users to introduce unlicensed software on to networks.

software-license

Application Inventory

ea3-sysEA3 artifact A-10: Application Inventory

IT application inventories are simple tools that can facilitate the process of operational IT governance. They are defining the overall IT infrastructure and serve to describe current and future functions and related tools.
appl-inventory