System Architecture

A System Architecture is a structural framework for a system that defines the system components and their relationships (forming a unified structure to achieve system purpose).

• AKA: System Structure, Architectural Framework, System Organization.
• Context:
  • It can (typically) describe the overall system structure, system components, and system component relationships within the target system.
  • It can (typically) define core system components through system architectural patterns and system design principles.
  • It can (typically) establish system component organization through system structural patterns and system layering strategies.
  • It can (typically) manage system resources through system resource allocation and system optimization mechanisms.
  • It can (typically) enforce system architectural rules through system design constraints and system governance policy.
  • It can (typically) coordinate system components through system infrastructure design and system deployment patterns.
  • ...
  • It can (often) implement system communication patterns through system interaction protocols and system data flows.
  • It can (often) enable system integration through system interface definitions and system connector types.
  • It can (often) provide system performance optimization through system resource management and system scaling strategies.
  • It can (often) follow from System Model.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Simple System Architecture to being a Complex System Architecture, depending on its system requirements.
  • It can range from being a Centralized System Architecture to being a Distributed System Architecture, depending on its system control structure.
  • It can range from being a Static System Architecture to being a Dynamic System Architecture, depending on its system runtime behavior.
  • It can range from being a Domain-Specific System Architecture to being a General-Purpose System Architecture, depending on its system application scope.
  • ...
• Examples:
  • Natural System Architectures, such as:
    • Neural System Architecture, demonstrating system component organization through neural networks in biological organisms.
    • Ecosystem System Architecture, implementing system communication patterns through species interactions in habitats.
  • Engineered System Architectures, such as:
    • Software System Architecture, defining core system components for software-based systems.
    • Hardware System Architecture, managing system resources through physical components in computing devices.
    • Network System Architecture, enabling system integration through communication paths between network nodes.
  • Organizational System Architectures, such as:
    • Enterprise System Architecture, enforcing system architectural rules through business structures and process flows.
    • Government System Architecture, coordinating system components through governance structures and policy implementations.
  • ...
• Counter-Examples:
  • System Implementation, which focuses on actual system construction rather than system structural design.
  • System Component, which is a single system element rather than an overall system structure.
  • System Process, which addresses system operational activity rather than system structural organization.
• See: Software System Architecture, Enterprise Architecture, Systems Engineering, Architecture Pattern, System Design, System Model.

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