Infrastructure Software
Foundational software like databases and data storage that will see massive growth due to AI data demands.
First Mentioned
6/10/2026, 5:55:04 AM
Last Updated
6/10/2026, 5:57:30 AM
Research Retrieved
6/10/2026, 5:57:29 AM
Summary
Infrastructure software represents the foundational programs, databases, and operating systems that enable hardware to perform tasks and support IT services. In the context of the rapidly evolving AI landscape, infrastructure software is experiencing a major shift. Industry leaders, such as Palo Alto Networks CEO Nikesh Arora, highlight that infrastructure software platforms like Databricks, Snowflake, and MongoDB are highly undervalued. This undervaluation stems from the projection that enterprises will require ten times more data storage to power AI infrastructure. Additionally, the field is evolving from traditional Infrastructure as Code (IaC) to Infrastructure as Software (IaS), allowing developers to define and manage cloud resources using general-purpose programming languages and modern software engineering toolchains.
Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
Core Components
Operating Systems (OS), Database Management Systems (DBMS), Middleware, Virtualization Software
Related Paradigm
Infrastructure as Software (IaS) and Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
AI Era Growth Driver
10x increase in enterprise data storage requirements to power AI Infrastructure
Key Industry Players
Databricks, Snowflake, MongoDB
Timeline
- Industry analysis on the All-In Podcast highlights that infrastructure software is highly undervalued due to an impending 10x increase in enterprise data storage needs for AI. (Source: fafb4a96-65bd-44c2-b78c-f434c46bd69d)
2024-01-15
Wikipedia
View on WikipediaIT infrastructure
Information technology infrastructure is defined broadly as a set of information technology (IT) components that are the foundation of an IT service; typically these include physical components (computer and networking hardware and facilities), but also various software and network components. According to the ITIL Foundation Course Glossary, IT infrastructure can also be defined as “all of the hardware, software, networks, facilities, etc., that are required to develop, test, deliver, monitor, control or support IT services." IT infrastructure hardware includes mainframe computers, end-user devices like personal computers (PCs), laptops and tablets, and networking hardware like firewalls and routers. The software components include operating systems (OS), database management systems (DBMS), and virtualization software.
Web Search Results
- What Is Infrastructure as Software? | Pulumi
Pulumi logo 25.3K Contact us Sign in Dashboard Get started 25.3K Contact us Sign in Dashboard Get started # Infrastructure as Software: The Next Step in Cloud Management · 11 min read · Cam Soper Cam Soper Infrastructure as Software (IaS) is the practice of defining cloud infrastructure in general-purpose programming languages and applying the full toolchain of modern software engineering to it: real types, real abstractions, real tests, real package management, real APIs, and real CI/CD. It’s the natural next step after infrastructure as code (IaC), which uses domain-specific languages (DSLs) or markup formats like HCL, JSON, and YAML, and which makes most of these engineering practices either awkward or unavailable. [...] The two terms overlap in intent. They both aim to replace manual cloud operations with reviewable, automated, reproducible code. They differ in how much code engineering you can do once your infrastructure is in code. IaS treats every cloud resource as a software object whose lifecycle can be programmed, abstracted, tested, packaged, and called from other programs. That last property is the one that opens up automation patterns DSL-based IaC can’t reach: building self-service portals, embedding `pulumi up` inside a SaaS product, and using the same APIs internally that Pulumi itself uses. In this article, we’ll cover the key questions about infrastructure as software: [...] Get started with Pulumi to provision and manage cloud infrastructure in the language your team already uses. ## Frequently asked questions about infrastructure as software ### What’s the difference between IaC and IaS? IaC is the broad practice of defining cloud infrastructure in code. IaS is the specific style of IaC that uses general-purpose programming languages and applies the full software-engineering toolchain (types, tests, abstractions, packages, programmatic APIs). All IaS is IaC; not all IaC is IaS. ### Is Terraform IaS?
- Infrastructure Software - Battery Ventures
Infrastructure Software ## Infrastructure Software Battery’s infrastructure software investing practice covers all areas of the enterprise, from cloud and DevOps to data, security and AI-powered applications. Our team—including our deep bench of ex-operator EIRs from companies such as MongoDB and Palo Alto Networks–has an intuitive grasp of these sectors and an ability to spot new trends, help companies scale and build game-changing technology brands across the globe. [...] Battery has invested in more than 450 companies over our 40-year history, and we’ve been fortunate to back some very big ideas. ### SECTORS Our investment staff works together as a single, global unit to evaluate and support potential investments. ### PEOPLE We exist to support our companies, and we have focused expertise in areas including talent, business development, marketing and communications and growth/leadership. ### SERVICES Infrastructure Software ## Infrastructure Software
- What Is IT Infrastructure? | Atlassian
### Software components Software aspects integral to IT infrastructure functionality include the following programs: Operating systems are the foundation for hardware operations and application execution. Databases organize, store, and facilitate access to large volumes of data. Middleware is a connective layer for communication and data exchange between software applications. ### Network infrastructure Network infrastructure supports IT operations with smooth transmission and data transfer between devices and systems. It includes physical and virtual components, such as routers, switches, cables, wireless access points, protocols, and services. ### Data centers and cloud services [...] Software includes operating systems, applications, and problem management tools. Networking comprises routers, switches, and cables. Data centers are facilities housing critical IT equipment and support infrastructure, including power, cooling, and security systems. Cloud services encompass remote computing services offering scalable IT resources over the internet, such as storage and processing power. ### Hardware components Hardware elements essential for IT infrastructure include the following: Servers provide resources such as network storage and application processing. Storage devices comprise hard drives and solid-state drives. Networking equipment includes routers, switches, and cabling. ### Software components [...] ## What is IT infrastructure? IT infrastructure is the foundation for deploying, operating, and managing a company’s technology resources and applications. It’s the collection of hardware, software, networks, facilities, and related services that deliver IT operations. IT infrastructure components include servers, storage systems, networking devices, operating systems, databases, and other software applications. IT infrastructure underpins nearly every aspect of modern business operations. ## Importance of IT infrastructure Networking essential hardware and software components effectively ensures that operations happen smoothly, efficiently, and securely. An effective incident management workflow is crucial in maintaining this smooth operation.
- IT Infrastructure: Definition, Components, and Best Practices
Operating Systems (OS): The core software that manages computer hardware and software resources, such as Windows Server, Linux, or macOS. Middleware: Software that connects different applications and services, enabling them to communicate and exchange data. Applications: Programs designed to perform specific functions for end-users or business processes, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, customer relationship management (CRM) software, or productivity suites. Virtualization Software: Hypervisors and related tools that allow a single physical server to host multiple virtual machines, optimizing resource utilization. ### IT components: Networking Networking is the backbone that connects all components of the IT infrastructure and facilitates communication: [...] Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): Provides virtualized computing resources, storage, and networking. Platform as a Service (PaaS): Offers a platform for developing, running, and managing applications without the complexity of building and maintaining the underlying infrastructure. Software as a Service (SaaS): Delivers ready-to-use applications over the internet. Serverless Computing: Allows developers to build and run applications without managing servers, where the cloud provider dynamically manages the allocation of machine resources. ## Infrastructure management Patching, monitoring, capacity planning, and automation keep the stack healthy. Modern teams lean on infrastructure-as-code and AIOps platforms to spot issues early and roll out fixes in minutes instead of days. [...] ### IT components: Software Software includes the programs, applications, and operating systems that enable hardware to perform specific tasks. Operating systems, middleware, databases, virtual machines, and applications turn raw hardware into useful services:
- What Is IT Infrastructure? | IBM
Modern IT infrastructure is equipped with a robust set of systems to secure data and other valuable assets from complex problems like cyberattacks, breaches and more. High-performance storage systems back up data and strong disaster recovery options provide fallbacks when unexpected events happen. From firewalls and next-generation antivirus (NGAV) software to intrusion detection solutions (IDS) and quantum-safe encryption, today’s IT infrastructure solutions help companies stay secure. [...] # What is IT infrastructure? Business Woman Working Remotely ## What is IT infrastructure? Information technology infrastructure (IT infrastructure) refers to hardware, software and networking components enterprises rely on to manage and run their IT environments effectively. IT infrastructure is a broad term that encompasses various technologies and devices, including servers, data storage systems, networking devices, operating systems (OS) and more. [...] Today, IT infrastructure underpins the core business operations of many successful companies, enabling core business processes like process automation, cloud computing and the deployment of software applications. It has also become a key enabler of transformative technologies, like artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI (gen AI), providing the robust network infrastructure and IT services they require to flourish.