Because technological demands and priorities vary, Cisco does not prescribe a specific architecture. Instead, Cisco provides an architectural framework consisting of Data Center Business Advantage (DCBA) and a series of architectural building blocks. With these elements, organizations can build the architecture and adopt the technologies best suited to their needs.

Built on Cisco Data Center Fabric are a series of solutions, such as virtualization and cloud-based solutions, all mapped to common customer projects.

DCBA is designed to help enable solutions that deliver business value in three areas: 

• Faster service creation
• Lowered total cost of ownership
• The development of transformational new models that take advantage of emerging trends like virtualization and cloud technologies