| Title: | IT Solutions Architecture |
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| Long Title: | IT Solutions Architecture |
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| Field of Study: |
Computer Science
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| Valid From: |
Semester 1 - 2021/22 ( September 2021 ) |
| Next Review Date: |
May 2022 |
| Module Coordinator: |
Sean McSweeney |
| Module Author: |
PAT MC CARTHY |
| Module Description: |
This module provides the opportunity for the student to study, analyse and evaluate a
variety of IT solutions architectures. Including frameworks and private and public architecture designs, component, layers, technologies and services. On completion of this module, the student will be able to assess, design and implement the optimal solution, for proposed case studies from a theoretical and applied perspective. |
| Learning Outcomes |
| On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to: |
| LO1 |
Describe the core components and objectives behind information architecture design. |
| LO2 |
Critically appraise the IASA information architecture model including its design structure, layers and functionality. |
| LO3 |
Assess how various IT solutions are defined, implemented, managed and operated. |
| LO4 |
Evaluate various enterprise architecture options (Service Oriented Architecture and Cloud Architecture) can be used in developing IT solutions. |
| LO5 |
Analyse specific case study requirements so designing and implementing the most appropriate technological architectural solution to meet these requirements. |
| Pre-requisite learning |
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
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Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list. |
| No incompatible modules listed |
Co-requisite Modules
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| No Co-requisite modules listed |
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
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| No requirements listed |
Module Content & Assessment
| Indicative Content |
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Solution Architecture Fundamentals
Granularity of domains, goals, drivers, inputs, documentation techniques, design diagramming notation, architecture views and viewpoints and various architecture description languages
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Solutions Information Architecture Model
IASA 5 Pillar architecture model, Data, Business, Software, Application and Infrastructure layers, design structures, security, networking, and service management.
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Structured Design and Implementation of Solution Architectures
Evaluation of objectives, design and implementation of technology solutions to match requirements, security, compliancy, scalability and redundancy addressed to recommended architecture standards, a focus on consistency in solutions deployment, implementation, and operations monitoring.
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Solution Architecture Frameworks
Review of key architectural options and tools such as Enterprise Architecture Frameworks (Zachman and The Open Group's (TOGAF)), Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), Cloud Architecture (NIST) , tools for Enterprise Architecture: ARIS, Archimate, Enterprise Architecture Toolkit (EATK).
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Solution Architect(s)
definition; scope; roles and responsibilities of the architect; role comparison of enterprise, cloud, software architects, range of skills; challenges, responsibilities.
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Solutions Architecture Case Studies and Technologies
Enterprise Architecture (EA), Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and Cloud Architecture (CA) designs and implementations, use of technological services and applications such as AWS, MS Azure and VMware vCloud for various case studies.
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| Assessment Breakdown | % |
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| Course Work | 100.00% |
| Course Work |
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| Assessment Type |
Assessment Description |
Outcome addressed |
% of total |
Assessment Date |
| Multiple Choice Questions |
Students will undertake an in class theoretical exam based on the core concepts of IT Enterprise and Solutions Architecture. |
1,2,3 |
25.0 |
Week 8 |
| Reflective Journal |
Students will submit a Lab Report reflecting the lab tasks that they will complete over the duration of the module. These labs will involve designing and implementing IT Solutions Architectures using architectural platforms such as AWS, MS Azure and vCloud. |
3,4,5 |
25.0 |
Week 10 |
| Project |
In this project the student may be expected to design an IT Solution Architecture for a given case study. |
2,3,4,5 |
50.0 |
Sem End |
| No End of Module Formal Examination |
| Reassessment Requirement |
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.
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The institute reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment
Module Workload
| Workload: Full Time |
| Workload Type |
Workload Description |
Hours |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
| Lecture |
Lecture delivering theory underpinning learning outcomes. |
2.0 |
Every Week |
2.00 |
| Lab |
Lab to support learning outcomes. |
2.0 |
Every Week |
2.00 |
| Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) |
Independent Study. |
4.0 |
Every Week |
4.00 |
| Total Hours |
8.00 |
| Total Weekly Learner Workload |
8.00 |
| Total Weekly Contact Hours |
4.00 |
| Workload: Part Time |
| Workload Type |
Workload Description |
Hours |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
| Lecture |
Lecture delivering theory underpinning learning outcomes. |
2.0 |
Every Week |
2.00 |
| Lab |
Lab To support Learning Outcomes. |
2.0 |
Every Week |
2.00 |
| Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) |
Independent study. |
4.0 |
Every Week |
4.00 |
| Total Hours |
8.00 |
| Total Weekly Learner Workload |
8.00 |
| Total Weekly Contact Hours |
4.00 |
Module Resources
| Recommended Book Resources |
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- Lankhorst, Marc et al 2017, Enterprise Architecture at Work: Modelling, Communication and Analysis, 4th Ed., Springer U.S.A [ISBN: 3642013090]
- Nick Rozanski & Eoin Woods 2014, Software Systems Architecture - Working with Stakeholders Using Viewpoints and Perspectives, 2nd Ed., Addison - Wesley Professional [ISBN: 9780321112293]
- Ben Piper & David Clinton 2019, AWS Certified Solutions Architect Study Guide: Associate SAA-C01 Exam, 2nd Ed., Sybex U.S.A [ISBN: 111950421X]
- John Yani Arrasjid 2016, IT Architect: Foundation in The Art of Infrastructure Design A Practical Guide For IT Architects, 1st Ed., IT Architect Resource LLC [ISBN: 9780996647717]
| | Supplementary Book Resources |
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- Steven Spewak & Stven Hill 1993, Enterprise Architecture Planning, 2nd Ed., Wiley - QED Publication [ISBN: 9780471599852]
- Jeanne Ross, Peter Weill & David Robertson 2006, Enterprise Architecture as a Strategy - Creating Foundation For Business Education, 2nd Ed., Harvard Business Review Press [ISBN: 9781591398394]
| | Recommended Article/Paper Resources |
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- British Computer Society 2010, Reference Model for ISEB Certificates in Enterprise and Solution Architecture
| | Other Resources |
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- Website: The Open GroupJournal of Entreprise Architecture
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Module Delivered in
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