ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 42/WG 2 - Data

This document describes the framework of the big data reference architecture and the process for how a user of the document can apply it to their particular problem domain.

This document specifies the big data reference architecture (BDRA). The reference architecture includes concepts and architectural views. The reference architecture specified in this document defines two architectural viewpoints: — a user view defining roles/sub-roles, their relationships, and types of activities within a big data ecosystem; — a functional view defining the architectural layers and the classes of functional components within those layers that implement the activities of the roles/sub-roles within the user view. The BDRA is intended to: — provide a common language for the various stakeholders; — encourage adherence to common standards, specifications, and patterns; — provide consistency of implementation of technology to solve similar problem sets; — facilitate the understanding of the operational intricacies in big data; — illustrate and understand the various big data components, processes, and systems, in the context of an overall big data conceptual model; — provide a technical reference for government departments, agencies and other consumers to understand, discuss, categorize and compare big data solutions; and — facilitate the analysis of candidate standards for interoperability, portability, reusability, and extendibility.

This document provides a set of terms and definitions needed to promote improved communication and understanding of this area. It provides a terminological foundation for big data-related standards. This document provides a conceptual overview of the field of big data, its relationship to other technical areas and standards efforts, and the concepts ascribed to big data that are not new to big data.