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The Future of Information Technology
File servers—dedicated computers with very large storage capacities that provide
users access to fast storage and retrieval of data.
Network attached storage (NAS)—a type of file server designed for homes and
small businesses. NAS is less expensive, easier to set up, and easier to manage
than most file servers. However, it does not include powerful management tools
and features found in many large-scale file servers.
RAID systems—larger versions of the specialized devices discussed earlier in this
chapter that enhance organizational security by constantly making backup copies
of files moving across the organization’s networks.
Organizational cloud storage—high-speed Internet connection to a dedicated
remote storage facility. These facilities contain banks of file servers to offer enor-
mous amounts of storage.
Storage Area Network
A recent mass storage development is storage area network (SAN) systems. SAN is
an architecture to link remote computer storage devices, such as enterprise storage
systems, to computers such that the devices are as available as locally attached drives.
In a SAN system, the user’s computer provides the file system for storing data, but the
SAN provides the disk space for data.
The key to a SAN is a high-speed network, connecting individual computers to
mass storage devices. Special file systems prevent simultaneous users from interfering
with each other. SANs provide the ability to house data in remote locations and still
allow efficient and secure access.
concept check
Define mass storage and mass storage devices.
What is an enterprise storage system?
What is a storage area network system?
Careers in IT
Disaster recovery specialists are responsible for recovering systems and
data after a disaster strikes an organization. In addition, they often cre-
ate plans to prevent and prepare for such disasters. A crucial part of
that plan is to use storage devices and media in order to ensure that all
company data is backed up and, in some cases, stored off-site.
Employers typically look for candidates with a bachelor’s or associ-
ate’s degree in information systems or computer science. Experience
in this field is usually required, and additional skills in the areas of net-
working, security, and database administration are desirable. Disaster
recovery specialists should possess good communication skills and be
able to handle high-stress situations.
Disaster recovery specialists can expect to earn an annual salary of
$70,000 to $88,000. Opportunities for advancement typically include
upper-management positions. With so many types of threats facing
organizations, demand for these types of specialists is expected to grow.
Now that you’ve learned about secondary
storage, let me tell you a little bit about my
career as a disaster recovery specialist.
“
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Some of the fastest-growing career opportunities are in
information technology. Each chapter highlights one of
the most promising careers in IT by presenting job titles,
responsibilities, educational requirements, and salary
ranges. Among the careers covered are webmaster, soft-
ware engineer, and database administrator. You will learn
how the material you are studying relates directly to a
potential career path.
CAREERS IN IT
49
Your Car’s Dashboard as a Powerful,
Internet-Connected Computing Device
Do you often wish that you could shop online or make din-
ner plans while your car drove itself? Would you like your
car to use the Internet to suggest a better route, or stream
the vehicle already governs many of your car’s functions. That
computer is responsible for various safety and diagnostic fea-
tures. Recently, cars have begun offering Internet access for
driving directions, streaming audio, and cell phone connectiv-
ity. In the future, cars will drive themselves and seamlessly
integrate into our digital lives. Technology has been making
better cars, and will continue to evolve to improve our lives as
we look to the future.
-
ated partnerships with auto-
mobile manufacturers to place
the center of a vehicle’s main
console. Cars can connect to
Wi-Fi access points or 4G net-
works to reach the Internet as
the modern smartphone does.
These developments allow your
vehicle to provide many ser-
smartphone but in a safer and
more integrated manner.
to information. Drivers get real-time traffic data, weather,
the apps that you expect to have. One example is the Pan-
dora service, which allows you to stream free, ad-supported
music from stations you create yourself. Why pay for satel-
lite radio or listen to stations that you don’t enjoy when you
can access your favorite online music services right from
your passengers or children. Some vehicles include screens
that face the back seats, allowing parents to play DVDs for
their children. Internet-connected vehicles allow individuals
already paying for an online streaming video service to give
their children access to this enormous library of cartoons
and movies right in the vehicle. In fact, with a tabletlike inter-
face, your child can choose from a preset selection of mov-
ies or educational games, depending on his or her mood.
Now, such a tool at your fingertips has the risk of becom-
that safety features must be built in to prevent accidents
from occurring. Luckily, there is already a piece of technol-
ogy that prevents the driver from ever having to touch the
dashboard: voice recognition.
way individuals interact with their iPhones, similar systems are
installed in the new dashboards. Drivers simply speak their
commands to get the informa-
tion they need and to use the
vehicle’s controls. Furthermore,
this computer system uses exist-
ing technologies that recognize
and speak English to the user.
This will allow the driver to hear
e-mail messages, social network
updates, and today’s news and
weather while driving to work.
Some companies have already
taken steps in implementing this
technology. Ford uses voice rec-
ognition in some of its vehicles
real breakthroughs will come when you can drive in safety
while being as productive as when you are on your laptop.
easily dictate e-mail responses. Changes in sensors and
automated driving will allow users to devote less attention
to driving and more to getting things done. Google and Mer-
cedes are currently testing self-driving cars, and they may
be available in the next ten years. When it does, do you see
yourself paying for this upgrade in your next car? Would
you be comfortable allowing a car to drive itself while you
worked on your laptop or tablet?
Each chapter concludes with a brief discussion of
a recent technological advancement related to the
chapter material, reinforcing the importance of stay-
ing informed.
A LOOK TO THE FUTURE
MoviesOnline: Information Systems
Alice's First Assignment
Bob: Oh, hi Alice . . . come on in! I know that we were scheduled for an
orientation meeting this morning. But I'm afraid that will have to wait. There is an
Important fire to put out today. Let me introduce you to one of your coworkers.
“She said she was concerned about how our
members were connecting to our Web site.”
requested that her Morning Report be modified to
This is Jamal.
Alice and Jamal exchange hellos and Bob motions Alice to take one of the chairs
across from his desk as he speaks.
Bob: I just came back from a meeting with Carol,
our CEO. While we were discussing the Monthly
Membership Report, she said she was concerned
about how our members were connecting to our
Web site. This really caught me off guard! Our
membership growth has exceeded projections and
I had assumed that our meeting was to discuss
how to handle all the new members. She
include the percentage of our customers who use
mobile devices, and she wants us to analyze the
changes in laptop and desktop customers versus
mobile device customers over the past year.
Bob: Jamal, here is the Monthly Membership Report. I'd like you to review it and
then create two profiles. One profile will describe our members who use computers,
such as laptops and desktops. The other profile will be for our members who use mobile
devices, such as cell phones and tablets.. I’m interested in any differences or unique
characteristics you can uncover.
Bob removes the cover page, hands the rest of the report to Jamal, and hands the
cover page to Alice.
Found in Connect for Computing Essentials 2017,
Using IT at MoviesOnline—A Case Study of a fictitious
organization provides an up-close look at what you
might expect to find on the job in the real world. You
will follow Alice, a recent college graduate hired as a
marketing analyst, as she navigates her way through
accounting, marketing, production, human resources,
and research, gathering and processing data to help
manage and accelerate the growth of the three-year-
old company.
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