Question

As we design our new SIM system, I was thinking about the news of the two new future stores. Then, I started thinking about scalability. How scalable do we need our new system to be? What system requirements should we add with regards to scalability issues?

Furthermore, how do you think we should set up our computer network? Is there a topology that you think would be most appropriate for AW? Do you think we need online processing or do you think batch processing would be adequate? So many questions still to answer!

Let me know your thoughts on these issues.

Answer 1

When designing a new system, it is important to consider scalability and plan for future growth. Pay attention to hardware, software, database, and network requirements to ensure the system can handle increasing workloads. Choose a network topology that suits your needs and consider the pros and cons of different options.

Step-by-step explanation:

When designing a new system, scalability is an important consideration. Scalability refers to the ability of a system to handle increasing amounts of work or users without causing performance issues. In order to determine how scalable your new system needs to be, you should consider factors like the expected growth of your business, the number of users accessing the system, and the workload the system needs to handle.

In terms of system requirements for scalability, there are a few key areas to focus on:

1. Hardware: Make sure the hardware used to host the system can handle increasing workload. This may include upgrading servers, adding more storage capacity, or improving network infrastructure.
2. Software: Choose software solutions that can scale effectively. Look for technologies that support load balancing, clustering, or distributed systems.
3. Database: Optimize the database design and configuration to handle increasing amounts of data and user activity. Consider techniques like partitioning, caching, or sharding.
4. Network: Ensure that the network infrastructure can handle the increased traffic as the system scales. Implement redundant network connections and consider using Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) for improved performance.

When setting up the computer network for your company, the appropriate topology depends on the specific needs and requirements of your business. Some commonly used topologies include:

• Star Topology: All devices are connected to a central hub or switch. This topology is easy to manage and allows for easy addition or removal of devices, but it can be a single point of failure.
• Mesh Topology: Each device has a direct connection to every other device. This topology provides redundancy and fault tolerance but can be complex to set up and manage.
• Ring Topology: Devices are connected in a circular chain. This topology is relatively simple but can be prone to failures if one device breaks down.

For AW, it is important to consider factors like the number of locations, the network infrastructure already in place, and the connectivity requirements of different departments. **Online processing** is suitable if real-time updates and immediate responses are required, such as in e-commerce transactions or online collaboration. **Batch processing** is appropriate when data can be collected over a period of time and processed in batches, such as in payroll processing or generating reports.

In conclusion, when designing a new system, it is important to consider scalability and plan for future growth. Pay attention to hardware, software, database, and network requirements to ensure the system can handle increasing workloads. When setting up your computer network, choose a topology that suits your needs and consider the pros and cons of different options. Finally, determine whether online processing or batch processing is more appropriate based on the specific requirements of your business.