What is a software-defined data center (SDDC)?

A software-defined data center (SDDC) is an IT management approach that abstracts traditional infrastructure components—such as compute, storage, and networking—and delivers them as software services.

Unlike traditional datacenters that manage individual components manually, SDDCs separate and virtualize the resources from the physical infrastructure, creating software-defined services. Also known as a virtual datacenter, SDDCs deliver faster response times, dynamic scaling, and efficient use of resources in shared pools—without the need to interact with physical hardware. An SDDC is an IT-as-a-Service (ITaaS) platform that can be hosted on premise and in private, public, or hosted clouds.

Automate your virtual infrastructure

Software-defined data centers centralize core components so that they can work together in a unified, automated infrastructure that simplifies management and improves efficiency across the entire data center. SDDCs typically include the following components:

Software-defined compute (SDC)

Software-defined compute (SDC) abstracts physical compute resources—such as CPUs, memory, and storage devices—into virtual machines (VMs) or containers that can be easily provisioned and managed on an independent server. Also known as software-defined infrastructure, this compute layer allows cloud-native workloads and containerized applications to run efficiently across hybrid and multi cloud environments.

With hypervisors and centralized orchestration platforms like Kubernetes, SDC enables dynamic, automated resource allocation and gives organizations the ability to handle multiple complex tasks simultaneously.

Software-defined storage (SDS)

Software-defined storage (SDS) pools, manages, and distributes physical storage resources from multiple devices into a single location based on workload requirements. It enables intelligent, policy-driven management that optimizes storage by dynamically allocating resources based on workload needs and performance criteria.

SDS enhances automated data management by abstracting and virtualizing storage resources while centrally controlling them. SDS works across multiple storage types such as block, file, and object storage, allowing data to be distributed across on-premise and public cloud environments. SDS reduces storage overhead, keeping data accessible and protected against failures.

Software-defined network (SDN)

A software-defined network (SDN) uses a centralized controller to abstract the network control plane from the physical hardware infrastructure and determine how data flows across the network. An SDN centralizes control and allows administrators to programmatically manage network traffic and resources, improving flexibility and efficiency.

An SDN is automated through a centralized software-defined controller, which monitors and manages network policies, security, and traffic routing from a single platform. It enhances network provisioning and optimizes traffic flow by dynamically adjusting to real-time demands, resulting in a faster and more efficient data transfer. Additionally, an SDN offers self-healing capabilities, automatically reconfiguring in response to changing workloads or traffic congestion. It also reduces security risks through micro-segmentation, or the application of small network segments with different security controls.

Software-defined technologies—SDC, SDS, and SDN—work together to deliver a highly automated and scalable IT environment. With hardware abstraction and software-defined technology, an SDDC improves agility and resource optimization, and provides a comprehensive solution for modern datacenter management.

In recent years, SDDCs have evolved to meet the increased demand for automation and cloud infrastructure in a rapidly shifting IT environment. While traditional SDDCs managed, provisioned, and scaled IT resources through virtualization, modern SDDCs do it by transforming the core components—compute, storage, and networking—into software-defined elements.

Virtualization is a technology that allows you to create virtual, simulated environments from a single physical machine. In traditional SDDCs, virtualization abstracts and pools physical resources into virtual machines. It requires physical hardware upgrades and manual configuration with automation limited to predefined scripts and templates.

Modern SDDCs combine cloud-native and Kubernetes technologies with traditional virtualization by managing and orchestrating containerized resources across an automated infrastructure. Modern SDDCs automate provisioning, scaling, and configuration to meet changing business demands.

With the help of IT automation, SDDCs have moved from hardware-centric, manually controlled environments to agile ecosystems that respond to the dynamic needs of modern IT operations. Through orchestration, IT teams can automate workflows across compute, storage, and networking resources, ensuring system provisioning without human intervention.

Using a centralized management platform, administrators can monitor and control infrastructure performance, resource usage, and security. SDDC automation extends to Network Function Virtualization (NFV), virtualizing and managing firewalls and VPNs. Additionally, other automation technologies, including self-healing mechanisms, micro-segmentation, and network performance optimization, detect and remediate failures, ensuring granular security policies for optimal performance.

Automation-driven SDDCs enable self-optimizing operations that reduce manual configuration, improve resource allocation, and enhance system performance. With the ability to scale and manage workloads across on-premise and public cloud environments, modern SDDCs offer greater flexibility and operational efficiency, empowering businesses to meet the demands of digital transformation and hybrid cloud management.

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Red Hat’s trusted products and partner ecosystem come together in 1 comprehensive virtualization solution. When you combine Red Hat® OpenShift® Virtualization with Red Hat Ansible® Automation Platform, you can integrate with any vendor in your network and storage stack to automate tasks in any environment—and deliver a production-ready SDDC. Whether you have virtual workloads, containerized workloads, or a mix of both, OpenShift Virtualization provides tools to build, operate, and scale cloud-native workloads alongside traditional VMs. You can also migrate your virtual machines to Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization, a modern app platform that integrates virtual and containerized workloads to provide flexibility without added complexity.

Together with Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization, you can use Ansible Automation Platform to automate your IT infrastructure—from migration at scale to Day 2 operations and remediation—and deliver a consistent cloud experience across any environment. With this flexible approach, you can automate tasks to improve the speed and efficiency of IT operations, while preserving your investment in virtualization technology and the applications that depend on it.

With Red Hat, you can also manage and modernize at your own pace. You can monitor the performance of your VMs from a single console with Red Hat Advanced Cluster Management for Kubernetes. With additional support options and partner integrations for storage, backup, disaster recovery, and networking, you can rely on Red Hat to keep your virtual infrastructure running smoothly throughout the hybrid cloud–and help you modernize when you’re ready.

Learn more about automating virtual infrastructure management