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The Software-Defined Data Center (SDDC): Virtualization in the Data Center

One of the biggest trends in the data center in 2017 is set to be software-defined computing, storage, and networking. In other words, the virtualization of everything. These software-defined functions are becoming so common because of their benefits: they allow organizations to have flexibility and speed, and, at the same time, lower their costs. It’s not difficult to see why businesses have adopted virtualization on such a wide scale. But what does this increasing virtualization have to do with the data center?

Software-Defined Data Center (SDDC)

Just as other elements have become increasingly defined by software, so has the data center, transforming into the Software-Defined Data Center (SDDC). In brief, an SDDC involves virtualizing all infrastructure elements, from storage, networking, CPU, and security, to be delivered as a service. Essentially, hardware is disconnected from infrastructure, and software provides the functions that hardware once provided.

SDDCs are, if not necessary, extremely useful for developing agile businesses. The SDDC’s ability to deliver infrastructure “as-a-structure” increases automation, which, in turn, allows for the adoption of more cloud services and DevOps approaches. Technology research company Gartner suggests that by 2020, SDDCs will be necessary for 75 percent of Global 2000 businesses using DevOps and hybrid cloud models.

Functions of the SDDC

An SDDC has a single management platform that allows for central monitoring and implementation of applications. This management tool lets companies manage workloads across cloud, virtual, and physical environments. One of the primary features of the SDDC is cloud automation, which lets developers and users choose services to be deployed. These services are deployed automatically to cloud environments, shifting automatically based on workloads and demand patterns.

Cloud operations also let administrators perform predictive analytics and receive alerts that let them take control of issues before they become problems. Further, dashboards and log management capacities help developers solve problems. This heightened data tracking can also help business leaders track the costs of a variety of ideas, giving them more information about IT services and costs.

Considerations

While SDDCs have many desirable functions, they are not right for every business. Companies need to think about risks of SDDC implementation and have alternative plans if the adoption of an SDDC is not successful.

Virtualization will become more and more popular for its efficiency and cost-saving benefits. If you’re ready to minimize infrastructure and create a software-defined data center, Silverback’s Hosted DCIM could be your solution. Our DCIM package is a cloud-based, visualized service that can help you track your physical inventory, your capacity management, and your space, power, and cooling. Each client has a dedicated virtual server, too, meaning that we customize your program to your goals.