Software-Defined Data Center (SDDC) – Solutions for Modern Apps in the Cloud

Members of the IT industry are all talking about the new concept of a software-defined data center (SDDC). But many wonder, how is this different than a traditional data center? Is it indeed revolutionary?

Some think the SDDC is an extension of existing physical assets, but at its core, it frees the application layer from the physical infrastructure layer. This allows for a wide range of uses including deploying, managing, storing, computing and networking various business applications in the cloud.

Here we’re examining the software-defined data center industry and identifying what makes SDDC solutions truly revolutionary.

Application Layer Focus with Customization and Automation for Business Applications

So, what’s the real difference between this data center and hardware at the office? The software-defined data center frees the application from the hardware layer. Computing as we know it is about to make a quantum leap to data centers that can live in multiple physical locations.

The software-defined data center is a unified data center platform that helps transform the way companies deliver IT with automation, efficiency, and flexibility. It’s built for the cloud and geared toward modern applications. This platform is ideal for businesses interested in modernizing without the expense of a physical overhaul.

True to Its Name – Defined in Software

The software-defined data center is exactly what it states – defined in software. Deployment, management of applications, and virtualizedcomputing storage and networks exist as software.

Allow someone else to own the hardware, guards, gas, batteries, generators, and employ the hundreds of people to service them. Software-defined data centers can be pursued now and deliver a return on investment one application at a time – not one physical data center at a time.

Companies Migrate Specific Applications

Organizations aren’t migrating entire data centers to the cloud. They migrate specific applications that collectively perform a business function. Using the application as a target allows IT departments to get instant ROI when they deploy and migrate their first cloud application.

A more agile approach uses cloud containers to avoid involving existing physical assets and infrastructure. SDDC architecture allows for containers with business systems of record and systems of engagement within the context of integration and security. This allows companies to use virtualization principles of pooling, abstraction, and automation so it’s cloud-ready.

No More Data Center Limitations

Limitations to SDDCs previously included physical constraints and a lack of application-layer focus. Companies were leery of sending applications to the cloud without proper context for governance, security, and integration.

While cloud computing saves money, is more efficient, and has more raw computing power, containers take it a step further by allowing IT teams to migrate, deploy, and control apps within the cloud.

The SDDC of the Future

The software-defined data center is a proper solution for cloud customization and integration. Companies can use the growing number of virtualized services, networks, and APIs to grow their data centers beyond their physical walls one cloud container at a time.

The SDDCs of the future will offer a cross-cloud connection with cloud-deployed data centers, existing data centers, and all virtualized elements in between. To make SDDC solutions a reality for companies, certain features must be provided and certain objectives met.

A true software-defined data center will be:

·         Adaptive

·         Automated

·         Holistic

·         Resilient

·         Standardized

SDDC solutions will contain features including:

·         File system virtualization

·         Image automation

·         Network virtualization

·         Topology automation

·         Topology centric services

These are key to customizing, automating, and controlling application-focused features. Then companies can securely transition to the cloud and use SDDC architecture to innovate with greater utilization, resiliency, and cost savings on a common platform.