Hardware Component
A
hardware component is an
implementation
work product consisting of a physical device that is part of a
system,
contact center, or
data center,
reuse center.
The typical objectives of hardware components are to:
- Execute the software components of an application.
- Store data.
- Connect other hardware components.
- Provide input to the application.
- Provide outputs from the application.
- Support the data center.
- Provide security.
The typical benefits of hardware components vary depending
on the type of hardware:
- Some hardware components (e.g., clients, servers,
routers, firewalls) enable the software components to
execute.
- Some hardware components (e.g., disk and tape libraries,
servers) store the system data.
- Some hardware components (e.g., networks) enable other
hardware components to communicate.
- Some hardware components (e.g., monitors, keyboards)
enable humans to interact with the system.
- Some hardware components (e.g., fire suppression systems)
protect the system.
- Some hardware components (e.g., power supply) provide
uninterruptable electrical power to other hardware
components.
- Some hardware components (e.g., keypads, card readers,
locked doors) provide physical security to parts of the
system.
The typical contents of a hardware component include:
- Not applicable because most hardware components will be
treated as blackboxes.
The typical stakeholders of a hardware component
include:
- Producers:
- Evaluators:
- Approvers:
- Maintainers:
- Users:
A hardware component typically can be started if the
following preconditions hold:
A hardware component typically has the following inputs:
- Work Products:
- Stakeholders:
- Hardware components can be either fabricated or purchased
as COTS hardware.
- Hardware components can be just as important as software
components:
- Software components cannot execute without hardware
components.
- The quality requirements (e.g., operational
availability, performance, robustness, and security) cannot
typically be implemented by software alone.
A hardware component is typically constrained by the
following conventions: