optimized applications, processes, and resources Cisco SONA uses the extensive product line, services, proven architectures, and experience of Cisco and its partners to help the enterprises achieve their business goals. The Cisco SONA framework shows how integrated systems allow a dynamic, flexible architecture and provide for operational efficiency through standardization and virtualization. Cisco SONA framework is based on the premise that the network is the common element that connects and enables all components of the IT infrastructure. Figure shows these three layers of the IIN:

• The networked infrastructure layer: The infrastructure layer interconnects all IT resources across a converged network foundation. IT resources include servers, storage, and clients. The networked infrastructure layer is a representation of how these resources exist in different places in the network, including campus, branch, data center, WAN, metropolitan-area network (MAN), and teleworker locations. The infrastructure layer provides customers with connectivity anywhere and anytime.
• The interactive services layer: The interactive services layer delivers efficient allocation of resources to applications and business processes through the networked infrastructure. This layer includes these services:
  • Voice and collaboration services
  • Mobility services
  • Security and identity services
  • Storage services
  • Computer services
  • Application networking services
  • Network infrastructure virtualization
  • Services management
  • Adaptive management services
• The application layer: The application layer includes business applications and collaboration applications. The objective for customers in this layer is to meet business requirements and achieve efficiencies by leveraging the interactive services layer.

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Content Summary The module described the Cisco IIN vision as a strategy that meets the evolving role of the network within businesses and directly meets the need to align IT resources with business priorities. Cisco’s Service-Oriented Network Architecture (SONA) is described as an architecture that details common services deployed in the network to close gaps between the resources and applications. This module explained why the traditional three layer hierarchical model alone does not meet business needs and how the new Cisco Enterprise Architecture integrates the entire network—campus, data center, branches, teleworkers, and WAN—to provide secure remote access to all tools, processes, and services across all sectors of the company.