Application Reference Model
Infrastructure Reference Model (IRM). The IRM is the taxonomy-based reference model for categorizing IT infrastructure and the facilities and network that host the IT infrastructure. The IRM supports definition of infrastructure technology items and best practice guidance to promote positive outcomes across technology implementations. For the purposes of the CRM, Infrastructure is defined as: The generic (underlying) platform consisting of hardware, software and delivery platform upon which specific/customized capabilities (solutions, applications) may be deployed. The IRM implementation enables sharing and reuse of infrastructure to reduce costs, increase interoperability across the government and its partners, support efficient acquisition and deployment, and enable greater access to information across enterprises. In addition to providing a categorization schema for IT infrastructure assets, the IRM enables analysis of IT infrastructure assets at a Department or Agency level as well as at a Federal Government level. In the Federal context, the IRM is adopted and used to conduct Government-wide analysis of IT infrastructure assets and to identify consolidation initiatives. In the Department or Agency context, the IRM is used to drive good IT infrastructure asset management practices such as identifying end-of-life assets before they affect the mission of an organization and to identify opportunities for sharing and consolidating infrastructure. The IRM is closely linked with the other five reference models of the Consolidated Reference Model Framework (CRM). At the high level, the IRM relationship and tie-in to the other reference models is illustrated in the following table:
