Introduction
In the current world, IT is involved in all kinds of business processes. System architecture is an essential component of designing, defining, and supporting any IT-related project. It helps achieve the company’s goals by analyzing the data to further present the best combination of components. This field is broad in its functionality, where the specialists help companies turn the architecture and their vision into reality. Therefore, this paper will discuss system architecture’s main elements, its relevant functions, and communication flow.
System Architecture Definitions
System architecture is the descriptive representation of the system’s component functions, and the communication flows between those parts. It defines the architectural principles and concepts along with the characteristics of system-of-interest. System architecture is aimed at generating feasible solutions based on the property’s ideas, postulates, and logic. Specialists in this field are specifically trained to distinguish proper elements for each case and make practical trade-offs.
Components
Architectural systems consist of sets of components specifically connected to form a design. Separating processes into elements is a fundamental approach to architecture, dividing a complex task into small manageable chores. The main difference between a low-cost, low-performance system and a fast, reliable one always comes down to the level of component management. To correctly manage the project, all elements must be documented, put into a diagram, and then presented to rule out the most unnecessary.
These segments are the representation of the architect’s creativity, previous experience, and their analytical skills (De Weck, 2015). Therefore, the componential aspect of the system architecture is crucial to the overall process.
System architecture contains numerous parts that are brought together to create functional projects. Systems, designed by men, frequently involve heterogeneous components that synchronize and perform the task. However, there are also complex segments in system architecture, like integrating elements, where a vast number of features interrelate, creating recursive integration levels.
Heterogeneity of components, on the other hand, involves several fields in the system design, making it challenging to keep them unified and simultaneously managing the plan (Golden, 2019). Diagrams must represent the logical aspect of the details, depending on several factors like deployment model, infrastructure, and attack method.
Relevant functions
System architecture has many functions that help in managing and creating a project. The leading roles of this field are definition, design, delivery, and support of an IT project, where they all are interconnected. A system architect has additional functions of analyzing and recommending feasible components to help the business achieve its goals. Moreover, the technicians perform a function of strategy creators for a company, approving the key objectives and initiatives with the top management.
System architecture also offers a function of cyber-security, vital for any IT project. Security is initially a matrix function across every domain closely related to the component aspects. Security function can be embedded both in an individual component or designed to guard the whole system itself. Companies with advanced cybersecurity may create specific standards that identify the ways to the controls that must be conducted.
Filling out the documentation is a crucial part of a system architect’s work process. Analysis and systematization of the components is a fundamental role on which the project is dependent. These procedures assure the success or the failure of the system in the future, precisely designed by a specialist. Among main analytical and creative functions are defining the name and purpose of the initiative, its main features, and processes, developing a project’s framework, threat calculations.
Without these functions, any IT-project would not be operative or sustainable. Therefore, system architecture performs many roles that, in the end, ensure the success of the project.
Communication Flow
Communication models are a crucial part of the process of developing an architectural system, as they are responsible for the proper flow between several levels. A communication system combines two components of hardware and software, providing communicational services to the project. These systems usually perform a function of bridging gaps between physical and application levels. Therefore, in order to organize an appropriate communication system, it is merged in layers.
There is a separate specialist in system architecture that focuses on the communication, who connects and synchronizes all the processes by creating a unique network. As today’s world is commonly internet-connected, increasing cloud-based and data-driven formats, the work of communication architect gained a new perspective.
There are many existing communication models used in this industry; however, some are used more frequently than others. A horizontal approach to delivery offers many designs, which lead to a model of individual decision making at each level, independent from other groups (Cornell University, 2017). The vertical communication model focuses more on the unified integration of information throughout the whole system.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is crucial to identify that system architecture aims to design, maintain, and generate solutions in complex systems. Each system is made of components that make up an overall model and design of the project.
Moreover, system architecture performs many functions beyond designing and providing service; it is also responsible for security maintenance, analysis of the outcome, and many other vital functions. Another essential part of the system architecture process is building a communication model, which is responsible for the effective delivery of the information. Therefore, all components of system architecture are interconnected, conceptualizing the purpose and the structure.
References
Cornell University. (2017). Communication Architecture. Web.
De Weck, L. (2015). Fundamentals of systems engineering session 4 system architecture concept generation. Web.
Golden, B. (2019). What is systems architecture? Polytechnique.Fr. Web.