MD240 - Management Information Systems Sept. 13, 2005 Computing Hardware – Moore's Law, Hardware Markets, and Computing Evolution

Topics Covered Components of an Information System Moore’s Law –Implications for Managers –Challenges to Moore’s Law & potential solutions to those challenges The Evolution of Computing Hardware SuperComputing, Grid Computing, Clustering –Business uses, pros & cons eWaste, the dark side of Moore’s law –Reality of today’s solutions

5 Components of an IS Data Procedures Software Hardware People Information Systems Information Systems

Source: Intel Corp.

“Processing power per dollar doubles every 18 months”

Not just chips…

Types of Computers (the distinction is blurring) Personal / Microcomputers –single-user, usually single processor, compact –desktop, laptop, palmtop, PDA, game machine, specialized Mid-range Systems (Servers) –may have more than one microprocessor, typically multi-user & focused on a functional area or task (marketing, plant management, web server). –Vintage midranges (proprietary OS): IBM AS/400, DEC VAX –Servers (UNIX/Win): Intel-based, Dell, HP, IBM, Sun

Types of Computers (cont.) Mainframes (IBM) –large, expensive computer, supports multiple user groups, terminals, run several applications at once. –costly: support staff, air conditioning, software –secure: centralized programs & data are relatively easy to backup, maintain, upgrade, and monitor Super Computers (NEC, IBM, Hitachi, HP, Intel, Cray) –massively parallel and/or clustered –used to solve problems requiring long, difficult calculations (e.g.airline scheduling, advanced modeling - biotech, weather, risk management) –evolution to grid computing…

eWaste