Agentic AI Reference Architecture

Knowledge & Data · Interface

Vector Store Query API

InterfaceKnowledge & DataKnowledge & DataVariation point (abstract)arc:VectorStoreQueryAPI

The network interface through which clients authenticate to a vector store and submit schema, ingestion and search requests.

Responsibility. Accepts authenticated query and write requests for a vector store.

is invoked byis routed to bysends data tois invoked byhas access controlled byis invoked byhas access controlled byis routed to byis specialized byis specialized byVector Retriever: is invoked byVector RetrieverLoad Balancer: is routed to byLoad BalancerSelf-Managed Vector Index Store: sends data toSelf-Managed Vector Inde…Dense-Sparse Hybrid Retriever: is invoked byDense-Sparse Hybrid Retr…Identity Provider: has access controlled byIdentity ProviderVector Batch Ingestor: is invoked byVector Batch IngestorAPI Key Authenticator: has access controlled byAPI Key AuthenticatorShard Query Router: is routed to byShard Query RouterVector Store gRPC API: is specialized byVector Store gRPC APIVector Store REST API: is specialized byVector Store REST API
Direct neighbourhood (hover for relationship types)

Variants

VariantWhen to choose
Vector Store REST APIChoose for broad client compatibility, debugging and moderate query volumes (below ~100 requests per second).
Vector Store gRPC APIChoose when query volume exceeds ~100 requests per second or real-time applications need the lowest latency.

Relationships

is invoked by dependency

is routed to by dynamic

sends data to dynamic

has access controlled by control

Classification

Quality attributes
Compatibility (ISO/IEC 25010)Performance efficiency (ISO/IEC 25010)

Sources

  1. Ch6.2B: T. Nguyen, "Production Vector Database Deployment," in Mastering Agentic AI Systems: Guide for the NVIDIA NCP-AAI Exam, 1st ed. 2026, ch. 6.2B. ISBN: 9798244538229.