Software Defined Architecture

<< Back to Technical Glossary

Software Defined Architecture Definition

Software defined architecture (SDA) provides a layer of virtualization between the software and its users, which connects users to a simple dashboard that masks the complex systems operating in the background. A SDA helps large cloud services offer Web scale application services for digital businesses that require high levels of agility and scalability.

Diagram depicts software defined architecture that provides a layer of virtualization between software and the end user to connect users to a simple dashboard that masks the complex systems operating in the background.
FAQs

What is a Software Defined Architecture?

Software defined architecture (SDA) gives large cloud services like Amazon and Netflix the ability to operate at Web scale — serving massive numbers of consumers while adapting to rapidly changing needs. SDA creates a layer of virtualization between the software and the user. This allows consumers to interact with a simple application interface while benefiting from complex systems that run hidden in the background.

Software defined data center architecture also makes it easier to change the software. This flexibility is how digital businesses can achieve maximum agility. They can quickly adjust infrastructure without the consumer noticing.

SDA follows advancements in software defined network architecture and software defined storage.

How Does SDA Work?

SDA is part of a family of terms like software defined networking (SDN) and software defined storage (SDS). The big difference is that the computing infrastructure in SDA is managed by intelligent software and not manually. It is virtualized and delivered as a service.

Software defined data center architecture applies to entire stacks of software. The virtualization creates a line between the internal implementation and what a consumer sees. This allows for changes or replacement of the infrastructure without impact on the consumer.

There are two application programming interfaces. One is internal for software producers to make improvements and and the other is external for consumers. The external interface remains simple while masking all the work happening internally.

Benefits of Software Defined Architecture

Benefits of software defined architecture for cloud computing include the following:

• Virtualization of application services.
• A layer between consumers and the infrastructure running applications that allows for hidden management, monitoring, optimization and orchestration.
• Possibility of letting users design application programming interfaces to suit their tastes without compromising the underlying applications.
• Improved network stability.
• Reduced provisioning time.
• Improved time to market.
• Scalable application delivery across hybrid environments in the public cloud.
• Reliable disaster recovery.
• Easier server health monitoring.

Software Defined Architecture for Applications in Digital Business

Gartner released a study titled “Software Defined Architecture for Applications in Digital Business.” It predicted the following:

• Web scale digital business solutions with adaptive, open and manageable application architecture will become essential for enterprises.
• Rigid legacy organizations will have to lead an agile evolution that embraces the flexibility of digital business software solutions.
• Service virtualization gateway technology will emerge as a key application infrastructure component for application software in digital business.

Does Avi offer Software Defined Architecture?

Yes. Avi uses a software-defined scale-out architecture that is 100% based on REST APIs. It delivers extensible application services including load balancing, application security and microservices and containers on one platform across any environment. It provides elastic autoscaling, built-in analytics and full automation.

For more on the actual implementation of load balancing, security applications and web application firewalls check out our Application Delivery How-To Videos.

For more information see the following software defined networking resources: