Chapter 8 - Architecture Design

Question 1

What is architectural design?

Answer 1

Architectural design is a shorthand for the plans for how a system will be distributed across various hardware, what that hardware is, its OS, and the applications that are used on that hardware.

Question 2

What are the key factors in architectural design?

Answer 2

The key factors in architectural design are the nonfunctional requirements laid out in the analysis phase.

Question 3

What goes on during hardware and software specification?

Answer 3

During hardware and software specification, the needed hardware and software are designated. Duh.

Question 4

What is the objective of architecture design?

Answer 4

Architecture design is meant to determine how the software that is being designed will be linked with the system’s hardware.

Question 5

What are the architectural components of a system?

Answer 5

The architectural components of a system are basically just hardware and software.

Question 6

What are the four functions of system architectural design?

Answer 6

The four functions of system architectural design are:

• Data Storage
• Data Access Logic - The processing required to access stored data
• Application Logic - Logic documented in DFDs, use cases, and functional requirements
• Presentation Logic - Display of information to the user, and acceptance of user commands

Question 7

What are the three primary hardware components?

Answer 7

The three primary hardware components are:

• Client computers
• Servers
• The Network

Question 8

What is a client-server architecture?

Answer 8

A client-server architecture is one where the processing is balanced between client devices and one or more servers.

Question 9

In the client-server architecture, who is responsible for what?

Answer 9

In client-server architectures, the client is responsible for presentation logic, while the server is responsible for data access logic and data storage.

Question 10

What is a thick/fat client?

Answer 10

A thick, or fat, client contains most or all of the application logic.

Question 11

What is a thin client?

Answer 11

A thin client is a client that only contains a small portion of the application logic.

Question 12

What are the four benefits of client-server architectures?

Answer 12

The main benefits of client-server architectures are thus:

• Scalability
• Through middleware, can support multiple types clients & servers
• The various logics can be independant
• If one server fails, only that server’s applications are affected.

Question 13

What is the main downside of client-server architectures?

Answer 13

The main downside of client-server architectures is their complexity.

Question 14

How do tiers work in architecture?

Answer 14

In system architecture, each tier is a device that is operated through in the process of operating the system. A three-tiered system might have a client communicating to an application server, which then speaks to a database server.

Question 15

How does a server-based architecture work?

Answer 15

A server-based architecture works by using a dummy terminal to interact directly with the application running on the server.

Question 16

How does a client-based architecture work?

Answer 16

A client-based architecture has the client running the presentation logic, the application logic, and the data-access logic.

Question 17

What is virtualization?

Answer 17

Virtualization is the creation and use of virtual devices and resources, such as servers or storage devices.

Question 18

What is server virtualization?

Answer 18

Server virtualization is the partitioning of one physical server into multiple smaller virtual servers.

Question 19

What is storage virtualization?

Answer 19

Storage virtualization is the combining multiple networked storage devices into what would appear to be one single storage unit.

Question 20

What is cloud computing?

Answer 20

Cloud computing is a wide-encompassing term for the delivery of various services, from computing power or infrastructure, applications, business processes, etc, to be delivered as a service whenever and whereever needed.

Question 21

What is the cloud?

Answer 21

The “clould” is a term for a set of hardware, networks, storages, devices, and interfaces that combine together to deliver aspects of computing as a service.

Question 22

What are the three main implementations of cloud computing?

Answer 22

The three main implementations of cloud computing are:

• Private Cloud
• Public Cloud
• Hybrid Cloud

Question 23

What are the main advantages of cloud computing?

Answer 23

The main advantages of cloud computing are:

• Dynamic resources, can be increased or decreased as needed
• Customers can receive resources in a straightforward fashion
• Cloud services generally have standardized APIs
• Customers are only billed for what they use.

Question 24

What is the largest restriction when choosing a new infrastructure?

Answer 24

The largest restriction when choosing a new infrastructure is generally the existing infrastructure, since most new systems will tend to use them.

Question 25

Why are client-server architectures favored?

Answer 25

Client-server architectures are favored as a result of their infrastructure, which is generally low-cost compared to other options.

Question 26

What are the first steps towards creating a new architecture design?

Answer 26

The first step towards creating a new architectural design is to look at the nonfunctional requirements of the system, and refine them into more detailed requirements.

Question 27

What are the main types of Operational Requirements?

Answer 27

The main types of operational requirements are: - Technical Requirements - Special requirements imposed by business - System Integration Requirements - How the system will need to work with other systems - Portability Requirements - How much it will need to work in other environments - Maintainability Requirements - Expected business changes to adapt to

Question 28

What are the main types of Performance Requirements?

Answer 28

The main types of performance requirements are: - Speed Requirements - The time within which a system must perform its functions - Capacity Requirements - The total and peak number of users & volume of data expected - Availability & Reliability Requirements - The extent the system will be available, & the permissible failure rate due to errors.

Question 29

What are the main types of Security Requirements?

Answer 29

The main types of security requirements are: - System Value Estimates - Access Control Requirements - Encryption & Authentication Requirements - Virus Control Requirements

Question 30

What are the main types of cultural and political requirements?

Answer 30

The main types of cultural and political requirements are: - Multilingual requirements - Customization requirements - What aspects can be changed by local users - Making Unstated Norms Explicit - Things like dating conventions, or units of measure - Legal Requirements - Personal info requirements, etc.