Point of Delivery
Encyclopedia
A point of delivery, or POD, is "a module of network, compute, storage, and application components that work together to deliver networking services. The POD is a repeatable pattern, and its components maximize the modularity, scalability, and manageability of data centers."
The concept of a design pattern
is nothing new in computer or network architecture. In particular, the modular design
principle has long been applied to telephone and data networks, for instance through a repeatable node
design describing the configuration of equipment housed in point of presence
facilities. The term is similarly used in cable video networks, to describe the modular component that delivers video service to a subscriber. The distinction of a POD versus other design pattern
s is that it is a deployable
module
which delivers a service.
The POD design pattern
is especially important in service provider
infrastructure
, for instance in datacenters
supporting cloud computing
services, in order to sustain scalability
as usage grows.
The concept of a design pattern
Design pattern
A design pattern in architecture and computer science is a formal way of documenting a solution to a design problem in a particular field of expertise. The idea was introduced by the architect Christopher Alexander in the field of architecture and has been adapted for various other disciplines,...
is nothing new in computer or network architecture. In particular, the modular design
Modular design
Modular design, or "modularity in design" is an approach that subdivides a system into smaller parts that can be independently created and then used in different systems to drive multiple functionalities...
principle has long been applied to telephone and data networks, for instance through a repeatable node
Node (networking)
In communication networks, a node is a connection point, either a redistribution point or a communication endpoint . The definition of a node depends on the network and protocol layer referred to...
design describing the configuration of equipment housed in point of presence
Point of presence
A point of presence is an artificial demarcation point or interface point between communications entities. It may include a meet-me-room.In the US, this term became important during the court-ordered breakup of the Bell Telephone system...
facilities. The term is similarly used in cable video networks, to describe the modular component that delivers video service to a subscriber. The distinction of a POD versus other design pattern
Design pattern
A design pattern in architecture and computer science is a formal way of documenting a solution to a design problem in a particular field of expertise. The idea was introduced by the architect Christopher Alexander in the field of architecture and has been adapted for various other disciplines,...
s is that it is a deployable
System deployment
The deployment of a mechanical device, electrical system, computer program, etc., is its assembly or transformation from a packaged form to an operational working state....
module
Module
Module or modular may refer to the concept of modularity. It may also refer to:-Computing and engineering:* Modular design, the engineering discipline of designing complex devices using separately designed sub-components...
which delivers a service.
The POD design pattern
Design pattern
A design pattern in architecture and computer science is a formal way of documenting a solution to a design problem in a particular field of expertise. The idea was introduced by the architect Christopher Alexander in the field of architecture and has been adapted for various other disciplines,...
is especially important in service provider
Service provider
A service provider is an entity that provides services to other entities. Usually, this refers to a business that provides subscription or web service to other businesses or individuals. Examples of these services include Internet access, Mobile phone operators, and web application hosting...
infrastructure
Infrastructure
Infrastructure is basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise, or the services and facilities necessary for an economy to function...
, for instance in datacenters
Data center
A data center is a facility used to house computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and storage systems...
supporting cloud computing
Cloud computing
Cloud computing is the delivery of computing as a service rather than a product, whereby shared resources, software, and information are provided to computers and other devices as a utility over a network ....
services, in order to sustain scalability
Scalability
In electronics scalability is the ability of a system, network, or process, to handle growing amount of work in a graceful manner or its ability to be enlarged to accommodate that growth...
as usage grows.