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What are the tools that every professional IT architect must have?

The definition of "IT architect" that I am referring to, is the one for individuals who make the recommendations for software/hardware infrastructure (enterprise systems at a high level) A Person that is a Technology/Project advisor who understands system design, security, system extensibility/scalability and interoperability, costs and operational considerations.

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closed as not constructive by voretaq7♦ Aug 25 '12 at 2:26

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4 Answers

up vote 6 down vote

The one tool I can't live without is Visio (combined with a million downloaded system-specific shapes from visiocafe.com).

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Visio cafe is the best :) – t1nt1n Jul 21 '12 at 14:27
up vote 6 down vote

Paper and pencil. Nothing beats that :)

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up vote 2 down vote

The term architect has many differing connotations that make this question a bit hazy, but in general:

  1. Good design software - for prototyping, blueprints, and presentations
  2. Good utility executables for machine monitoring, diagnostics, file transfer, benchmarking, security assessment, backup
  3. Boot-level versions of #2
  4. Good Remote Access software
  5. Good telecommunications software - Video/Voice conferencing, IM Chat, Web Meetings
  6. Configuration Management Software
  7. Kiddie Scripts

(kidding on that last one)

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kiddy scripts are handy: but only for doing basic self-penetration testing. If kiddy scripts can't get in, then somebody else using those same scripts will be just going nowhere. – Kent Fredric May 2 '09 at 13:07
up vote 1 down vote

Whiteboard. When one is lacking, you're likely to start writing on the walls (or wishing that you could).

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