Artifacts Example
The artifact assembly diagram of a support center is shown below.
Basic equipment architecture of a call center includes three link points with the exterior: a telephone link, a link to a private ATM network and an internet access link. The workstations access point enables connection of operator, support and troubleshooting stations.
This diagram includes two Artifact Components representing a telephone switchboard and a test platform used for software support.
Note that the Communication Protocols used are specified on the communication channels. They are also specified on the communication ports.
Routers are predefined artifacts, proposed in the MEGA Architecture library.
The assembly diagram of a standard PC is shown below.
Standard PC assembly diagram
A standard PC is equipped with a Vista operating system on which office and electronic mail applications are installed.
Migration to Windows Vista causes a Web application compatibility problem with the navigator. A standard PC is therefore connected to a Windows XP virtual server on which Internet Explorer 6 and its Web applications operate.
Windows XP virtual server assembly diagram (call centers)
These diagrams presenting technical architecture contain components of application host and database host type representing the applications and servers installed on a standard PC.
Operator stations and support stations are variants of the standard station. All operator and support stations therefore have the same basic architecture, comprising:
• an operating system, Windows Vista
• an electronic mail service, Microsoft Outlook
• an office system software suite, Microsoft Office
• a PC network socket.
An operator station is based on this architecture, and in addition hosts specific applications for management of CMDB, calls and incidents.
Operator station assembly diagram
Since "Operator Station" and "Support Station" artifacts are defined from the "Standard PC" artifact, if the electronic mail service is replaced by another in "Standard PC", it is automatically modified in the operator and support stations.