Platform Domain-Technology Reference Model vs 2.0

6.1 Introduction and Background

The focus of the Interior Enterprise Architecture is on providing guidance for information technology (IT) issues and initiatives that are Interior-wide or multi-bureau in scope. The Platform architecture addresses the technology components of the IT infrastructure including end-user equipment, server equipment, operating systems, peripherals, wireless devices and interfaces.

If used correctly, the Interior Enterprise Architecture will act as a catalyst for those looking to capitalize on its contents and better understand the full meaning of its guidance. This understanding will permit IT personnel to better engage the non-IT organization in discussions around tradeoffs and priorities within the proper governance structure (e.g., Management Initiatives Team (MIT), Information Technology Management Council)). The Interior Enterprise Architecture is not intended to be the “last word” (e.g., some automated checklist for product selection). It is intended to be one of the “first words” to assure that Interior’s mission priorities and its IT priorities remain closely aligned.

Because Interior is incorporating the OMB’s Federal Enterprise Architecture (FEA) models, the technical guidance provided by the subject area experts within a domain spans both the Service Component Reference Model (SRM) as well as the Technical Reference Model (TRM). For the Platform domain, the SRM elements are as follows:

Service Domain(s): The Back Office Services Domain defines the set of capabilities that support the management of enterprise planning and transactional-based functions.

Service Type(s): Assets / Materials Management – defines the set of capabilities that support the acquisition, oversight and tracking of an organization's assets.

Component(s): Computers / Automation Management – defines the set of capabilities that support the identification, upgrade, allocation and replacement of physical devices, including servers and desktops, used to facilitate production and process-driven activities.

These SRM service elements are likewise supported by Interior’s IT (technical) infrastructure (e.g., servers, networks). Within this infrastructure are individual TRM components for which this domain team is providing guidance. The graphic below outlines those TRM elements for this domain that support the service needs of the SRM.

Additionally, it’s doubtful that a single domain chapter from the TRM can be used to address a substantive issue. More realistically, a few architecture domains may need to be reviewed when addressing an important IT decision. For example, if Interior was considering the creation of a new Interior-wide Call Center capability, then the TRM chapters like Infrastructure, Information Security, and Distributed Systems Management might all need to be reviewed along with this chapter on Platforms.

6.2 Architectural Principles

The principles listed below provide guidance for the design and selection of technology components that will support the Platform technology needs of Interior-wide IT initiatives.


Principle 1: Reliable, Available Technologies
Provide reliable, readily available current platform technology that supports process interoperability and the protection, availability and communication of data and information throughout the system life cycle. Rationale: · IT platform products are typically commodity items. · More reliable data. · Promotes a more common, interoperable platform infrastructure. · Ensures information is readily available and effectively shareable. · Ensures a basic level of reliability of the IT infrastructure. Implications 1. The definition of reliability will vary from technology to technology based upon the criticality of the function being performed, the needs of the customer, and security and data integrity requirements. 2. Supporting policies regarding security, privacy, confidentiality, information sharing, information integrity, utility and data relevance must be developed and implemented. 3. Supports the continuity of operations and disaster recovery; planning and testing will be performed routinely. 4. Applications dictate platform requirements; therefore, do not over engineer platform solutions. 5. Leads to products that adhere to industry standards and open architecture 6. Promotes the opportunity for greater interoperability with Interior business partners. 7. Deploy platforms that promote the ability to integrate data systems across Interior. 8. Need to perform change, problem and configuration management. 9. Proper planning must take place for platform retirement. 10. Platform technologies must be accessible to those with disabilities in accordance with Section 508 and other relevant guidance.
Principle 2: Equipment Replacement
Use a total cost of ownership model throughout the IT platform lifecycle to ensure that the most cost effective approaches are explored and assessed. Rationale: · Reusing platform components saves time and money. · Extends the Return on Investment of a platform. · IT platform products are typically commodity items. Implications 1. Need to agree upon a Total Cost of Ownership model. 2. Need to identify and retain “reusable” components; avoid making reuse analysis more consuming than the potential benefit. 3. Leads to reuse of components throughout Interior. 4. A policy and a methodology need to be established that enables reuse of platform components throughout Interior. 5. Applications dictate platform requirements; therefore, do not over engineer platform solutions. 6. Off-the-shelf products will be compared to in-house development costs. 7. Priority will be given to products adhering to industry standards and open architecture. 8. The cost of development, implementation/transition, training, support, disaster-recovery, and retirement, as well as the impacts of flexibility, scalability, ease of use and reduction of integration complexity will be considered. 9. Need for license management expertise across the department and managed continuously (e.g., Contracting Officer, COTR). 10. Need for hardware inventory control system for tracking equipment. 11. Need for procedures for dealing with full hardware lifecycle components (e.g., budgeting, forecasting, disposal).

6.3 Technology Components

The Platform technology components in this domain include:

Wireless / PDA – Wireless refers to transmissions via the airwaves while the Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) is a handheld computer that serves as an organizer for personal information and communication.
Platform Dependent Operating Systems - The operating system (OS) is a workstation’s lowest-level software that is always functioning even when no application program is running.
Web Servers – Web servers are the computers that provide World Wide Web services on the Internet.
Media Servers – Media serves are computer devices that provide optimized management of media-based files such as audio and video streams and digital images.
Application Servers – Application servers are computer devices that execute the specific business logic of an application.
Portal Servers – Portal servers are computer devices that provide information services in such a way that the level of integration and customization of this information is controlled by the end users (e.g., customers, employees).
Print Servers- Print servers are devices that route print requests and status information between computers and printers connected by a network.
Messaging Servers- These servers are devices that are responsible for delivering messages on a network (e.g., email).
Thin Client Only Servers- These servers provide necessary software services (e.g., applications, disk storage) to workstations on a network.
File Servers- File servers are computers that provide files and directories to workstations connected through a network.
Storage – Storage devices are designed to provide shared storage access across a network.
Servers / Computers – This component refers to the underlying hardware architectures that are the foundation for any computer device (e.g., desktop).
Peripherals – This component refers to various devices that can be connected to computers to provide additional capabilities and service (e.g., printer).
Deployment Management – This component refers to various tools and capabilities that permit management of remote devices (e.g., desktops, servers).

The classifications for any products or standards within this domain are:

Life Cycle Definition/

Classifications Meaning

Preferred Product/standard of choice; support available; recommended.

Contained Develop solutions using these standards or products only if there are no suitable alternatives categorized as preferred; if a preferred product is available that will meet the requirements, plans should be developed to move from contained to preferred as soon as practical.

Obsolete Being phased out; (e.g., vendor support ending); plans should be developed to rapidly phase out and replace (often to avoid substantial risks).

Research Product/standard to be used in conjunction with technology research efforts only (e.g., testing, pilots).

Rejected Product/standard has been evaluated and found not to meet technical architecture needs.

6.3.1 Wireless PDA

Wireless / PDA - Wireless defines the technologies that use transmission via the airwaves while the Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) is a handheld computer that serves as an organizer for personal information and communication. It generally includes at least a name and address database, to-do list and note taker.

General Users:

Use of the RIM, Ltd. Blackberry Operating System (OS) is classified as Preferred.

Field Personnel:

Use of the Microsoft Windows Mobile OS is classified as Preferred.

Use of the Palm OS is classified as Contained.

Field Personnel (Heavy GIS need):

Use of the Microsoft Windows Mobile OS is classified as Preferred.

6.3.2 Platform Dependent Operating Systems:

The operating system (OS) is a workstation’s lowest-level software that is always functioning even when no application program is running. The services an operating system provides and its general design philosophy exert an extremely strong influence on programming style and on the technical cultures that grow up around the machines upon which it runs.

Operating System/Desktop:

Use of the Microsoft Windows OS (version XP SP 1) is classified as Preferred.

Use of the Microsoft Windows OS (version < 2000 SP2) is classified as Contained.

Use of the Apple Computer OS (OSX) is classified as Contained.

Use of the Unix OS (All versions) is classified as Contained.

Use of the Microsoft Windows OS (version < 2000 SP3) is classified as Obsolete.

Use of the Apple Computer OS (version < OSX (e.g., 7x, 8x, 9x)) is classified as Obsolete.

6.3.3 Web Servers

Web Servers are usually dedicated computer devices that provide World Wide Web services on the Internet. They can include the hardware, operating system, Web server software, TCP/IP protocols and a Web site’s content (e.g., Web pages).

Operating System- Intel Design:

Use of the Microsoft Windows OS (2000 Server, Adv. Server > SP2) is classified as Preferred.

Use of the Novell NetWare OS (version 5.1) is classified as Contained.

Use of the Microsoft Windows OS (version Server 2003) is classified as Research.

Use of the Microsoft Windows OS (version < 2000 SP3) is classified as Obsolete.

Operating System- Unix Design:

Use of the (many vendors’) Unix OS (All) is classified as Preferred.

Use of the (many vendors’) Linux OS (All) is classified as Preferred.

Server Software-Windows Design:

Use of the Microsoft IIS (version > 5) is classified as Preferred.

Use of the Apache Software Foundation Apache (version 2) is classified as Contained.

Server Software-Unix/ Linux/ NetWare Design:

Use of the Apache Software Foundation Apache (version 2) is classified as Preferred.

Use of the Apache Software Foundation Apache (version 2) is classified as Contained.

6.3.4 Media Servers

Media Servers are usually dedicated computer devices that provide optimized management of media-based files such as audio and video streams and digital images.

Operating System- Intel Design:

Use of the Microsoft Windows OS (2000 Server, Adv. Server > SP2) is classified as Preferred.

Use of the Microsoft Windows OS (version Server 2003) is classified as Research.

Use of the Microsoft Windows OS (version < 2000 SP3) is classified as Obsolete.

Operating System- Unix Design:

Use of the (many vendors’) Unix OS (All) is classified as Preferred.

Use of the (many vendors’) Linux OS (All) is classified as Preferred.

6.3.5 Application Servers

Application Servers are dedicated computer devices that execute the specific business logic that incorporates the functional capabilities of an application. Usually, this device is connected via a network to one or more individual workstations.

Operating System- Intel Design:

Use of the Microsoft Windows OS (2000 Server, Adv. Server > SP2) is classified as Preferred.

Use of the Novell NetWare OS (version 5.1) is classified as Contained.

Use of the Microsoft Windows OS (version Server 2003) is classified as Research.

Use of the Microsoft Windows OS (version < 2000 SP3) is classified as Obsolete.

Operating System- Unix Design:

Use of the (many vendors’) Unix OS (All) is classified as Preferred.

Use of the (many vendors’) Linux OS (All) is classified as Preferred.

6.3.6 Portal Servers

Portal servers are computer devices that provide information services in such a way that the level of integration and customization of this information is controlled by the end users (e.g., customers, employees). The design and management of this type of service is significantly more complex than a simple Web server.

Operating System- Intel Design:

Use of the Microsoft Windows OS (2000 Server, Adv. Server > SP2) is classified as Preferred.

Use of the Microsoft Windows OS (version Server 2003) is classified as Research.

Use of the Microsoft Windows OS (version < 2000 SP3) is classified as Obsolete.

Operating System- Unix Design:

Use of the (many vendors’) Unix OS (All) is classified as Preferred.

Use of the (many vendors’) Linux OS (All) is classified as Preferred.

6.3.7 Print Servers

Print Servers are dedicated computer devices that are set up on a network to route print requests and status information between computers and printers connected by a network. A typical print server routes print requests for multiple computers and printers on a network.

Operating System- Intel Design:

Use of the Microsoft Windows OS (2000 Server, Adv. Server > SP2) is classified as Preferred.

Use of the Novell NetWare OS (version 5.1) is classified as Contained.

Use of the Microsoft Windows OS (version Server 2003) is classified as Research.

Use of the Microsoft Windows OS (version < 2000 SP3) is classified as Obsolete.

Operating System- Unix Design:

Use of the (many vendors’) Unix OS (All) is classified as Preferred.

Use of the (many vendors’) Linux OS (All) is classified as Preferred.

6.3.8 Messaging Servers

Messaging Servers are usually dedicated computer devices that are responsible for delivering various messages within a network (e.g., email, instant messaging).

Operating System- Intel Design:

Use of the Microsoft Windows OS (2000 Server, Adv. Server > SP2) is classified as Preferred.

Use of the Novell NetWare OS (version 5.1) is classified as Contained.

Use of the Microsoft Windows OS (version Server 2003) is classified as Research.

Use of the Microsoft Windows OS (version < 2000 SP3) is classified as Obsolete.

Operating System- Unix Design:

Use of the (many vendors’) Unix OS (All) is classified as Preferred.

Use of the (many vendors’) Linux OS (All) is classified as Preferred.

6.3.9 Thin Client Only Servers

Thin Client Only Servers are computer devices that provide necessary software services (e.g., applications, disk storage) to workstations that are configured with a minimal set of capabilities (e.g., network connectivity); these workstations are sometimes referred to as “dumb terminals.”

Operating System- Intel Design:

Use of the Microsoft Windows OS (2000 Server, Adv. Server > SP2) is classified as Preferred.

Use of the Microsoft Windows OS (version Server 2003) is classified as Research.

Use of the Microsoft Windows OS (version < 2000 SP3) is classified as Obsolete.

Operating System- Unix Design:

Use of the (many vendors’) Unix OS (All) is classified as Preferred.

Use of the (many vendors’) Linux OS (All) is classified as Preferred.

Server Software-Windows Design:

Use of the Citrix Systems Citrix (MetaFrame XP) is classified as Preferred.

Server Software-Unix/ Linux/ NetWare Design:

Use of the Citrix Systems Citrix (MetaFrame Presentation Server 1.2) is classified as Preferred.

6.3.10 File Servers

File Servers are computer devices that provide files and directories to workstations connected through a network. These devices are often used for file protection (backups) for the storage available on an individual workstation.

Operating System- Intel Design:

Use of the Microsoft Windows OS (2000 Server, Adv. Server > SP2) is classified as Preferred.

Use of the Novell NetWare OS (version 5.1) is classified as Contained.

Use of the Microsoft Windows OS (version Server 2003) is classified as Research.

Use of the Microsoft Windows OS (version < 2000 SP3) is classified as Obsolete.

Operating System- Unix Design:

Use of the (many vendors’) Unix OS (All) is classified as Preferred.

Use of the (many vendors’) Linux OS (All) is classified as Preferred.

6.3.11 Storage

Storage devices are components of technology designed to provide shared storage access across a network. These devices provide extended storage capabilities to the network with reduced costs compared to traditional file servers. These devices can incorporate various types of disk and tape media as well as the mechanisms that read and write to the media (e.g., laser).

Backup- Nearline:

Use of DVD is classified as Preferred.

Use of Magneto Optical is classified as Contained.

Use of CD is classified as Contained.

Use of Tape is classified as Contained.

Backup- Offline:

Use of the Quantum Corp. SDLT (Super Digital Linear Tape) (SDLT 320, SDLT 220) is classified as Preferred.

Use of the IBM Corp. 3590E's is classified as Preferred.

Use of the (many vendors) DAT is classified as Contained.

Use of the SONY AIT (version > 3 or SAIT) is classified as Contained.

Use of solutions from all other vendors is classified as Contained.

Use of the SONY AIT (version < 3 ) is classified as Obsolete.

Backup- Archive Offline:

Use of the Certance, IBM, & HP’s LTO and Ultrium tape formats is classified as Preferred.

NAS & SAN:

Use of the (many vendors) Network Attached Storage is classified as Preferred.

Use of the (many vendors) Storage Area Networks is classified as Preferred.

Tape Libraries:

Use of Network/ Multiple Server Tape Libraries is classified as Preferred.

Use of Individual Server Tape Libraries is classified as Contained.

6.3.12 Servers/ Computers

Servers / Computers refers to the underlying hardware architectures that are the foundation for any computer device (e.g., desktop).

Desktop:

Use of the Intel X86 Architecture is classified as Preferred.

Use of the RISC Architecture is classified as Contained.

Laptop:

Use of the Intel X86 Architecture is classified as Preferred.
Use of the RISC Architecture is classified as Contained.

Servers:

Use of the Intel X86 Architecture is classified as Preferred.

Use of the RISC Architecture is classified as Preferred.

Mainframe:

Use of the IBM OS/390 Architecture is classified as Preferred.

6.3.13 Peripherals

Peripherals are various devices that can be connected to computers to provide additional capabilities and service. These connections can be internal or external. Printers are probably the most common example of a peripheral.

Printers:

Use of Network Printers is classified as Preferred.

Use of Personal Printers is classified as Contained.

Power Supplies:

Use of APC UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supplies) for the Desktop is classified as Preferred.

Use of APC UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supplies) for Servers is classified as Contained.

Use of APC UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supplies) for Data Centers is classified as Contained.

6.3.14 Deployment Management

Deployment Management consists of various tools and capabilities that permit management of remote devices (e.g., desktops, servers) across an organization.

Desktop Image Control:

Use of the Symantec Ghost (version > 2000) is classified as Preferred.

Use of the Symantec Ghost Enterprise Edition (version > 7) is classified as Preferred.

Use of the PowerQuest Corp. Drive Image (version 7) is classified as Contained.

Use of the Phoenix Technologies, Ltd. ImageCast (version MFG v4.6.1) is classified as Contained.

Use of the PS'SOFT Inc. Qualiparc (QP: Asset Management Suite version 8.0) is classified as Contained.

Server Image Management- Unix:

Use of the IBM NIM is classified as Preferred.

Use of the IBM SYSBACK is classified as Preferred.

Desktop Installation Service:

Chapter 6. Platform Architecture

Principle 2: Equipment Replacement

6.3.10 File Servers

6.3.11 Storage

6.3.12 Servers/ Computers

6.3.13 Peripherals

6.3.14 Deployment Management