The VMware vCloud Solution provides an open and modular architecture that offers choice and flexibility for running applications in public and private vCloud instances. vCloud Director implements the vCloud API, which provides compatibility, interoperability, and extensibility with other vCloud instances. vCloud Networking and Security virtualizes the network and creates agile, extensible, secure logical networks that meet the performance and scale requirements of virtualized applications and data. The VMware vCenter Operations Management Suite provides the capabilities necessary to achieve an integrated approach to performance, capacity, and configuration across a vCloud infrastructure.

A vCloud architecture is a strategic design that involves devising a conceptual framework that supports primary business requirements, deciding on the discrete functions of the system, organizing elements into distinct components, and defining boundaries and connections between interdependent components. The focus is on clearly defining architecture goals and analyzing elements in a systematic and sufficient manner to facilitate design decisions that cut through the complexity found in today’s technology.

Figure 1 shows the fundamental structure and components of the core vCloud suite computing stack.