Definition: software-defined everything

The increasing migration from fixed hardware devices to computer-based, software-controlled devices. Software-defined devices provide unlimited flexibility because the software is typically loaded each time the equipment is turned on. If the hardware is programmed via firmware, it can be changed with a firmware update. However, such updates are a more involved procedure (see firmware update). See software-defined networking, software-defined radio, software-defined storage, software-defined vehicle and software-defined datacenter.