Home / Definitions / Software-Defined Data Center (SSDC) Definition

Software-Defined Data Center (SSDC) Definition

Vangie Beal
Last Updated May 24, 2021 7:55 am

SDDC is short for software-defined data center. May also be called software-defined datacenter (SDD) or virtual data center.

Software-defined data center (SDDC) is the phrase used to refer to a data center where all infrastructure is virtualized and delivered as a service. Control of the data center is fully automated by software, meaning hardware configuration is maintained through intelligent software systems. This is in contrast to traditional data centers where the infrastructure is typically defined by hardware and devices.

Software-defined data centers are considered by many to be the next step in the evolution of virtualization and cloud computing as it provides a solution to support both legacy enterprise applications and new cloud computing services.

Core Components of the Software-Defined Data Center

According to Torsten Volk, EMA, there are three core components of the software-defined data center: network virtualization, server virtualization and storage virtualization. A business logic layer is also required to translate application requirements, SLAs, policies and cost considerations. (Source: EMA Blogs; The Software-Defined Data center: Core Components)

Software-defined data center is a relatively new enterprise computing phrase, but a number of vendors have announced software-defined data center products, including the VMware vCloud Suite.

The phrase software-defined data center (SDDC) was coined by VMware’s CTO, Dr. Steve Herrod.

Top 3 Software-Defined Related Questions

1. What is software-defined everything?
2. What is software-defined storage (SDS)?
3. What is software defined networking (SDN)?