Data centers
Definitions used in data center management, including hardware, virtualization and cloud computing.
Data backup and disaster recovery
Terms related to backup and recovery, including definitions about making copies of data and words and phrases about restoring original data after a data loss event.
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What is a virtual hard disk (VHD)?
A virtual hard disk (VHD) is a disk image file format for storing the entire contents of a computer's hard drive.
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What is a disaster recovery plan (DRP)?
A disaster recovery plan (DRP) is a documented, structured approach that describes how an organization can quickly resume operations after an unplanned incident.
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What is data cleansing (data cleaning, data scrubbing)?
Data cleansing, also referred to as data cleaning or data scrubbing, is the process of fixing incorrect, incomplete, duplicate or otherwise erroneous data in a data set.
Data center management
Terms related to data centers, including definitions about network operations centers (NOCs) and words and phrases about the storage, management and the transmission of data.
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What is a northbound interface/southbound interface?
A northbound interface (NBI) is an application programming interface (API) or protocol that allows a lower-level network component to communicate with a higher-level or more central component; conversely, a southbound interface (SBI) allows a higher-level component to send commands to lower-level network components.
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What is IT automation? A complete guide for IT teams
IT automation is the use of instructions to create a clear, consistent and repeatable process that replaces an IT professional's manual work in data centers and cloud deployments.
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What is a green data center?
A green data center is a repository for the storage, processing, management and dissemination of data in which the physical space and the mechanical and electrical subsystems are designed to maximize energy efficiency and minimize the environmental impact.
Linux
Definitions related to Linux, including tech terms about open source and words and phrases about Linux distributions and software development.
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What is an operating system (OS)?
An operating system (OS) is the program that, after being initially loaded into the computer by a boot program, manages all the other application programs in a computer.
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What is remote desktop protocol (RDP)?
Remote desktop protocol (RDP) is a secure network communications protocol developed by Microsoft.
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What is LXD (Linux container hypervisor)?
LXD, pronounced 'lex-dee,' is a unified platform for managing system containers and virtual machines (VMs).
Operating systems
Definitions related to operating systems, including tech terms about open source and proprietary operating systems and words and phrases about system programs, boot mechanisms, kernels, command interpreters, DLL libraries and drivers.
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What is a word in computing architecture?
In computing architecture, a word is a fixed unit of data containing a specific number of bits that can be addressed and moved between storage and the computer processor.
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What is Active Directory Domain (AD Domain)?
An Active Directory domain (AD domain) is a collection of objects within a Microsoft Active Directory network. An object can be a single user or a group, or it can be a hardware component, such as a computer or printer. Each domain holds a database containing object identity information.
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What is Microsoft?
Microsoft is the world's largest vendor of computer software and a leading provider of cloud computing services, video games, computer and gaming hardware, search and other online services.
Storage Admin
Terms related to data storage management, including definitions about enterprise storage and words and phrases about storage infrastructure, storage capacity and hierarchical storage management (HSM).
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What is cloud NAS (cloud network-attached storage)?
Cloud NAS (network-attached storage) is remote storage that is accessed over the internet as if it is local.
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What is a virtual hard disk (VHD)?
A virtual hard disk (VHD) is a disk image file format for storing the entire contents of a computer's hard drive.
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What is the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol? How does it work?
The Server Message Block (SMB) protocol is a client-server communication protocol used for sharing access to files, printers, serial ports and other resources on a network.
Storage and Data Mgmt
Definitions about storage and data management including backup/recovery vocabulary, business intelligence terminology, storage area networks and database management.
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What is cloud NAS (cloud network-attached storage)?
Cloud NAS (network-attached storage) is remote storage that is accessed over the internet as if it is local.
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What is direct-attached storage (DAS) and how does it work?
Direct-attached storage (DAS) is a type of data storage that is attached directly to a computer without going through a network.
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What is the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol? How does it work?
The Server Message Block (SMB) protocol is a client-server communication protocol used for sharing access to files, printers, serial ports and other resources on a network.
Virtualization
Terms related to virtualization, including definitions about virtualization technologies and words and phrases about server virtualization, desktop virtualization and storage virtualization.
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What is a virtual hard disk (VHD)?
A virtual hard disk (VHD) is a disk image file format for storing the entire contents of a computer's hard drive.
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What is storage virtualization?
Storage virtualization is the pooling of physical storage from multiple storage devices into what appears to be a single storage device or pool of available storage capacity.
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What is cloud computing? Types, examples and benefits
Cloud computing is a general term for the on-demand delivery of hosted computing and IT services over the internet with pay-as-you-go pricing.