An Interface represents a point of access where services offered by an active structure element of the Layer can be accessed.

It can be considered the place where the services will pick up requests for the service.

An Interface specifies how the services offered can be accessed by other active structure elements. An Interface exposes a Service to the environment.

An Interface specifies a kind of contract that a component realizing this interface must fulfill.

An Interface may be part of a an active structure element through composition, which means that these interfaces are provided by that element, and can serve other elements. An Interface can be assigned to a Service, to expose that service to the environment.

The name of an Interface should preferably be a noun.

Category: Layer and Active structure aspect

Examples: Client software, Management Interface.

Source: Source: Generalization of Business Interface, Application Interface and Technology Interface as defined in the ArchiMate Framework.