An approach based on industry standards offers easier deployment of intelligent networks
As enterprise IT architects and software systems developers consider how to implement a comprehensive enterprise IT architecture for the coming years, many are considering using several industry architecture development frameworks, including The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF). TOGAF was created as a standard architecture development framework that is available free to any organization wishing to develop an information systems architecture for use in their organization.
The TOGAF model specifies many areas of an enterprise IT architecture and how these areas should interact, including “architecture vision,” “information system architecture,” and “technology architecture.” The Cisco Service-Oriented Network Architecture (SONA) plays an important role in the last area.
Cisco SONA
Cisco takes an architectural approach to connecting network services with applications to deliver business solutions. Using the SONA elements and principles, network architects and engineers can deliver services-capable communications infrastructures that are reliable, scalable, secure, predictable, and easily replicated for simplified deployment. A network built on SONA principles and elements can optimize the delivery of applications, even in today's complex network environments.
By building a network as outlined by the SONA framework, an enterprise can meet its current network and communications infrastructure needs while investing in a services platform that will, be an integral part of a long-term, comprehensive IT architecture.
The SONA model outlines how to build a flexible, services-oriented communications network and identifies the high-level relationship and interfaces between the network and general application-level systems. The SONA framework is not intended as a comprehensive enterprise IT architecture framework and should not be used to supplant a more inclusive high-level enterprise architecture, such as TOGAF. Instead SONA should be used to provide structured design guidance within the network communications infrastructure subarea, at the appropriate stage in the overall architecture process.
Model and Vision
The high-level SONA view provides the guiding principles of a Service-Oriented Network and describes the interfaces and relationships between SONA applications, interfaces, and services.
Deployment guide documents describe in detail how to build a particular place in the network (PIN) in order to realize SONA attributes. Cisco produces two categories of Cisco Validated Designs, each depicting a different perspective on SONA deployment:
- PINs that detail the design and configuration of specific network subsection areas (such as campus, branch, WAN, or data center)
- Industry architectures that use the PIN designs, combined with service- and application-level integration to deliver industry-specific, business-level, SONA-based network solutions
Enterprise Applications of SONA
Enterprise network architects can build SONA networks by using the Cisco Validated Designs for the relevant PINs and implementing the necessary or selected services. These services can then be applied to and integrated into existing or new applications as needed for a more customized solution.
The validated designs allow the structured and tested construction of service-capable network modules. They are the foundation for enabling access to SONA services, whether currently available or to be developed in the future. With the guidance provided by the SONA service data sheets, enterprise network architects can plan a domain-level network architecture capable of enabling, optimizing, and enhancing the delivery of enterprise applications.
SONA for Smaller Businesses
For medium-sized businesses that want the benefits of a SONA network but may not have the in-house resources necessary for internal development of a fully customized environment, the SONA industry architectures present a valuable end-to-end, predesigned and pretested solution option for most industries. Because all businesses differ slightly, the SONA industry architectures present finished designs that can be deployed as presented or customized as necessary.
