In this chapter we review the hardware and software components that are the core computing devices in Information Technology systems. Work stations and servers loaded with commercial operating systems are also used for implementing SCADA systems. Although the PC and the Microsoft Windows operating system is dominant in the SCADA field - we also review corporate class operating systems such as Unix and VMS because of their role in specialized control applications and their presence in the ERP and corporate IT data center where process information needs to be integrated from the factory floor.

We also take a peek at techniques used in IT to maximize reliability and interoperability using server clusters and virtual servers.