A2.1.2 — Digital Infrastructure

← Back to A2.1 overview

Digital Infrastructure

The basic physical and virtual components that enable the operation and flow of digital data — the backbone for digital services, applications and communications.

The Internet

A global network of interconnected devices (routers, servers, computers) which exchange data using standardised protocols. The worldwide web (WWW) uses HTTP as the protocol.

  • Purpose: Global communication, data exchange, collaboration.
  • Benefits: Access to vast information, business tools, education, virtual teaching.
  • Limitations: Bandwidth congestion, quality of service varies, security vulnerabilities (personal, organisational, national security risks)

Cloud Computing

A network of remote servers accessible via the internet used to store, manage, and process data — instead of local servers or personal computers.

  • Purpose: On-demand access to scalable computing resources and services.
  • Benefits: Pay only for what you use. No expensive hardware. Scalable up or down. Flexibility in resource allocation.
  • Limitations: Requires reliable internet. Data security and privacy concerns. Cloud providers control the infrastructure. Potential downtime.

Covered A1.1.10 (SaaS, PaaS, IaaS).

Distributed Systems

A network of independent computers that appear to users as a single coherent system. Nodes communicate and coordinate by passing messages. More nodes = more computational power.

  • Purpose: Scale out computation and storage across multiple machines.
  • Benefits: Shared resources. Improved speed (parallel processing). Better reliability — if one node fails the system continues. Scalable by adding nodes.
  • Limitations: Complex coordination and communication. Data consistency difficult across multiple nodes. Security concerns — larger attack surface. Latency can be higher. Sophisticated algorithms needed.

Edge Computing

Processing data at or near the data source. Reduces the physical distance data travels → faster processing, lower latency.

  • Purpose: Bring processing closer to where data is generated. Reduce reliance on central data warehouses.
  • Benefits: Faster response times. Reduces bandwidth usage and cost. Works even if cloud connectivity is lost. Better security and privacy by keeping data local.
  • Limitations: Complex to manage across many edge devices. Inconsistent computing capabilities between devices.

Mobile Networks

Telecommunications networks designed for connectivity of mobile devices over significant distances without physical connections.

  • Purpose: Wireless communication anywhere within coverage. Internet access, voice, data exchange on the go.
  • Benefits: Wireless convenience. Wide range of services. Enables mobile commerce, telemedicine, remote work.
  • Limitations: Coverage gaps / dead zones. Quality varies with congestion (especially in crowded areas or peak times).Security vulnerabilities — eavesdropping, data breaches.