Browse Definitions :
Definition

object storage device (OSD)

An object-based storage device or object storage device (OBSD or OSD) is a computer storage system that organizes data into containers called objects that a user or application determines are related. 

The objects reside in a flat address space where they all exist at the same level and cannot be placed inside one another. Each one has a unique object identifier (OID) that allows a server or end user to retrieve it without knowing the physical location of the data it contains.

An OSD allocates space for objects and manages lower-level space and security functions. Users and applications interface with objects through an API (application program interface) or by means of HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol). Public cloud service providers typically implement APIs to give users file or block access to OSD storage on the back end. For private clouds and archives, users either handle the APIs themselves or use an OSD that includes front-end functionality. Another alternative is to implement a cloud gateway that provides the appropriate protocols for user interface to back-end object storage.

Object storage may work better than network-attached storage (NAS) architectures for large unstructured data sets in applications such as medical imaging, movies, entertainment, and cloud storage. Object storage supports growth without significant performance degradation, and OSDs can be scaled geographically. Distributing copies of data across storage nodes can enhance data protection. In addition, OSDs can improve data resiliency with erasure coding.

This was last updated in June 2013

Continue Reading About object storage device (OSD)

Networking
Security
  • PCI DSS 12 requirements

    The PCI DSS 12 requirements are a set of security controls businesses must implement to protect credit card data and comply with ...

  • cardholder data (CD)

    Cardholder data (CD) is any personally identifiable information (PII) associated with a person who has a credit or debit card.

  • PCI DSS merchant levels

    Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) merchant levels rank merchants based on their number of transactions per ...

CIO
  • systems thinking

    Systems thinking is a holistic approach to analysis that focuses on the way that a system's constituent parts interrelate and how...

  • crowdsourcing

    Crowdsourcing is the practice of turning to a body of people to obtain needed knowledge, goods or services.

  • synthetic data

    Synthetic data is information that's artificially manufactured rather than generated by real-world events.

HRSoftware
  • employee engagement

    Employee engagement is the emotional and professional connection an employee feels toward their organization, colleagues and work.

  • talent pool

    A talent pool is a database of job candidates who have the potential to meet an organization's immediate and long-term needs.

  • diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI)

    Diversity, equity and inclusion is a term used to describe policies and programs that promote the representation and ...

Customer Experience
  • needs assessment

    A needs assessment is a systematic process that examines what criteria must be met in order to reach a desired outcome.

  • customer touchpoint

    A customer touchpoint is any direct or indirect contact a customer has with a brand.

  • customer service charter

    A customer service charter is a document that outlines how an organization promises to work with its customers along with ...

Close