Storage architecture

Definitions about storage and data management including backup/recovery vocabulary, business intelligence terminology, storage area networks and database management.
  • NAND flash memory - NAND flash memory is a type of non-volatile storage technology that does not require power to retain data.
  • NAND flash wear-out - NAND flash wear-out is the breakdown of the oxide layer within the floating gate transistors of NAND flash memory.
  • NAS gateway - NAS gateway is a NAS (network-attached storage) system in which the storage media are externally attached, typically over a Fibre Channel interface.
  • nearline storage - Nearline storage is the on-site storage of data on removable media.
  • Network Data Management Protocol (NDMP) - Network Data Management Protocol (NDMP) is an open protocol to control data backup and recovery communications between primary and secondary storage in a heterogeneous network environment.
  • Network File System (NFS) - Network File System (NFS) is a networking protocol for distributed file sharing.
  • non-volatile storage (NVS) - Non-volatile storage (NVS) is a broad collection of technologies and devices that do not require a continuous power supply to retain data or program code persistently on a short- or long-term basis.
  • NOR flash memory - NOR flash memory is one of two types of non-volatile storage technologies.
  • NTFS (NT File System) - NTFS, which stands for 'NT file system' and the 'New Technology File System,' is the file system that the Windows NT operating system (OS) uses for storing and retrieving files on hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs).
  • NVMe (non-volatile memory express) - NVMe (non-volatile memory express) is a transfer protocol created to accelerate the transfer speed of data in solid-state storage devices.
  • NVMe over Fabrics (NVMe-oF) - NVMe over Fabrics, also known as NVMe-oF and non-volatile memory express over fabrics, is a protocol specification designed to connect hosts to storage across a network fabric using the NVMe network protocol.
  • NVRAM (non-volatile random access memory) - NVRAM (non-volatile random access memory) refers to computer memory that can hold data even when power to the memory chips has been turned off.
  • object storage - Object storage, also called object-based storage, is an approach to addressing and manipulating data storage as discrete units, called objects.
  • off-site backup - Off-site backup is a method of backing up data to a remote server or to media that's transported off-site.
  • Opex (operational expenditure) - Opex (operational expenditure) is the money a company or organization spends on an ongoing, day-to-day basis to run its business.
  • optical storage - Optical storage is any storage type in which data is written and read with a laser.
  • overprovisioning (SSD overprovisioning) - Overprovisioning, in a storage context, is the inclusion of extra storage capacity in a solid-state drive.
  • oversubscription - Oversubscription in a storage area network (SAN) is the practice of committing more network bandwidth to devices connected to that network than what is physically available.
  • parallel file system - A parallel file system is a software component designed to store data across multiple networked servers.
  • PCIe SSD (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express solid-state drive) - A PCIe SSD (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express solid-state drive) is a high-speed expansion card that attaches a computer to its peripherals.
  • pebibyte (PiB) - A pebibyte (PiB) is a unit of measure that describes data capacity.
  • persistent storage - Persistent storage is any data storage device that retains data after power to that device is shut off.
  • PowerFlex (formerly ScaleIO) - PowerFlex is a software-defined storage product from Dell EMC.
  • primary storage (main storage) - Primary storage is the collective methods and technologies that capture and retain digital information in active use and critical for an organization's operations.
  • program/erase cycle (P/E cycle) - A solid-state storage program/erase cycle (P/E cycle) is a sequence of events in which data is written to a solid-state NAND flash memory cell, such as the type found in a flash or thumb drive, and is subsequently erased and rewritten.
  • Pure Storage - Pure Storage is a provider of enterprise data flash storage products designed to substitute for electromechanical disk arrays.
  • quad-level cell NAND (QLC NAND) - Quad-level cell NAND (QLC NAND) is a form of NAND flash memory that can store up to 4 bits of data per memory cell.
  • queue depth - Queue depth, in storage, is the number of pending input/output (I/O) requests that a storage resource can handle at any one time.
  • RAID 4 (redundant array of independent disks) - RAID 4 (redundant array of independent disks) is a RAID configuration that uses a dedicated parity disk and block-level striping across multiple disks.
  • RAID 6 - RAID 6, also known as double-parity RAID, is one of several RAID schemes that work by placing data on multiple disks and enabling I/O operations to overlap in a balanced way, improving performance.
  • RAID controller - A RAID controller is a hardware device or software program used to manage hard disk drives or solid-state drives in a computer or storage array so they work as a logical unit.
  • RAIN (redundant/reliable array of inexpensive/independent nodes) - A reliable array of independent nodes (RAIN) is a heterogeneous cluster of compute and storage nodes connected in a fault-tolerant network topology that incorporates multiple interfaces and redundant hardware.
  • RAM (random access memory) - Random access memory (RAM) is the hardware in a computing device that provides temporary storage for the operating system (OS), software programs and any other data in current use so they're quickly available to the device's processor.
  • RAM-based solid-state drive (SSD) - A RAM-based solid-state drive (SSD) is a storage device made from silicon microchips that has no moving parts and stores data electronically instead of magnetically.
  • redundancy - Redundancy is a system design in which a component is duplicated so if it fails there will be a backup.
  • Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) - Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) is a technology that enables two networked computers to exchange data in main memory without relying on the processor, cache or operating system of either computer.
  • removable media - Removable media is any type of storage device that can be removed from a computer while the system is running.
  • RRAM or ReRAM (resistive random access memory) - RRAM, also known as resistive random access memory or ReRAM, is a form of non-volatile storage that operates by changing the resistance of a specially formulated solid dielectric material.
  • SAN switch (storage area network switch) - A SAN switch (storage area network switch) is a device that connects servers and shared pools of storage devices and is dedicated to moving storage traffic.
  • SAS SSD (Serial-Attached SCSI solid-state drive) - A SAS SSD (Serial-Attached SCSI solid-state drive) is a NAND flash memory-based storage or caching device designed to fit in the same slot as a hard disk drive (HDD) and use the SAS interface to connect to the host computer.
  • SATA Express (SATAe) - SATA Express (SATAe or Serial ATA Express) is a bus interface to connect storage devices to a computer motherboard, supporting SATA and PCI Express protocols simultaneously.
  • scale-out storage - Scale-out storage is a network-attached storage (NAS) architecture in which the total amount of disk space can be expanded through the addition of devices in connected arrays with their own resources.
  • SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) - SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) is an electronic interface that enables PCs and servers to communicate with peripheral hardware, such as storage devices, printers and scanners, faster and more flexibly than previous parallel data transfer interfaces.
  • SDRAM (synchronous DRAM) - SDRAM (synchronous DRAM) is a generic name for various kinds of dynamic random access memory (DRAM) that are synchronized with the clock speed that the microprocessor is optimized for.
  • secondary storage - Secondary storage is persistent storage for noncritical data that doesn't need to be accessed as frequently as data in primary storage or that doesn't have the same performance or availability requirements.
  • Seebeck effect - The Seebeck effect is a phenomenon in which a temperature difference between two dissimilar electrical conductors or semiconductors produces a voltage difference between the two substances.
  • semiconductor fab - A semiconductor fab -- short for fabrication -- is a manufacturing plant in which raw silicon wafers are turned into integrated circuits (ICs).
  • SerDes (serializer/deserializer) - A SerDes or serializer/deserializer is an integrated circuit (IC or chip) transceiver that converts parallel data to serial data and vice-versa.
  • Serial ATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment or SATA) - Serial ATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment or SATA) is a command and transport protocol that defines how data is transferred between a computer's motherboard and mass storage devices, such as hard disk drives (HDDs), optical drives and solid-state drives (SSDs).
  • Serial-Attached SCSI (SAS) - Serial-Attached SCSI (SAS) is a method used to access computer peripheral devices that employs a serial -- one bit at a time -- means of digital data transfer over thin cables.
  • software redundant array of independent disk (software RAID) - Software RAID, also known as virtual RAID, is a form of RAID (software redundant array of independent disk) performed on an internal server.
  • software-defined storage (SDS) - Software-defined storage (SDS) is a software program that manages data storage resources and functionality and has no dependencies on the underlying physical storage hardware.
  • solid-state - Solid-state is a common descriptor used to refer to electronic components, devices and systems based entirely on semiconductor materials such as silicon, germanium or gallium arsenide.
  • solid-state drive (SSD) capacity - Solid-state drive (SSD) capacity is the maximum amount of data that can be stored on a solid-state drive.
  • solid-state storage - Solid-state storage is a type of computer storage media that stores data electronically and has no moving parts.
  • solid-state storage garbage collection - Solid-state storage garbage collection, or SSD garbage collection, is an automated process by which a solid-state drive (SSD) improves write performance.
  • SSD (solid-state drive) - An SSD, or solid-state drive, is a type of storage device used in computers.
  • SSD caching - SSD caching, also known as 'flash caching' or 'flash memory caching,' is the temporary storage of frequently-accessed data on NAND flash memory chips in a solid-state drive (SSD) to improve the drive's input/output (I/O) performance and allow data requests to be met with improved speed.
  • SSD form factor - An SSD form factor is the size, configuration or physical arrangement of solid state storage media.
  • SSD TRIM - SSD TRIM is a command for the Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) interface that enables an operating system (OS) to inform a NAND flash solid-state drive (SSD) which data blocks it can erase because they are no longer in use.
  • SSD write cycle - An SSD write cycle is the process of programming data to a NAND flash memory chip in a solid-state storage device.
  • storage (computer storage) - Data storage is the collective methods and technologies that capture and retain digital information on electromagnetic, optical or silicon-based storage media.
  • storage as a service (STaaS) - Storage as a service (STaaS) is a managed service in which the provider supplies the customer with access to a data storage platform.
  • storage at the edge - Storage at the edge is the collective methods and technologies that capture and retain digital information at the periphery of the network, as close to the originating source as possible.
  • storage filer - A storage filer is a type of file server designed and programmed for high-volume data storage, backup and archiving.
  • storage pool - A storage pool is capacity aggregated from disparate physical storage resources in a shared storage environment.
  • storage security - Storage security is the group of parameters and settings that make storage resources available to authorized users and trusted networks and unavailable to other entities.
  • storage snapshot - A storage snapshot is a set of reference markers for data at a particular point in time (PIT).
  • storage volume - A storage volume is an identifiable unit of data storage.
  • synchronous replication - Synchronous replication is the process of copying data over a network to create multiple current copies of the data.
  • tape backup - Tape backup is the practice of periodically copying data from a primary storage device to a tape cartridge.
  • tebibyte (TiB) - A tebibyte (TiB) is a unit of measure used to describe computing capacity.
  • Terabyte (TB) - A terabyte (TB) is a unit of digital data that is equal to about 1 trillion bytes.
  • Tier 0 - Tier 0 is a level of data storage that is faster, and perhaps more expensive, than any other level in the storage hierarchy.
  • tiered storage - Tiered storage is a method for assigning different categories of data to various types of storage media to reduce overall storage costs and improve the performance and availability of mission-critical applications.
  • TLC flash (triple-level cell flash) - TLC flash (triple-level cell flash) is a type of NAND flash memory that stores three bits of data per cell.
  • unified storage - Unified storage -- sometimes called network unified storage or multiprotocol storage -- is a storage system that enables users to run and manage files and applications from a single device.
  • unzipping - Unzipping is the act of extracting the files from a zipped single file or similar file archive.
  • utility storage - Utility storage is a service model in which a provider makes storage capacity available to an individual, organization or business unit on a pay-per-use basis.
  • value chain - A value chain is a concept describing the full chain of a business's activities in creating a product or service -- from initial receipt of materials through its delivery to market.
  • vector search - Vector search, sometimes referred to as vector similarity search, is a technique that uses vectors -- numerical representations of data -- as the basis to conduct searches and identify relevance.
  • virtual disaster recovery - Virtual disaster recovery is a type of DR that typically involves replication and enables a user to fail over to virtualized workloads.
  • virtual LUN (virtual logical unit number) - A virtual LUN (virtual logical unit number) is a representation of a storage area that is not tied to any physical storage allocation.
  • volatile memory - Volatile memory is a type of memory that maintains its data only while the device is powered.
  • What are optical disks and how do they work? - An optical disk is an electronic data storage medium that can be written to and read from using a low-powered laser beam.
  • What is 1000BASE-T (Gigabit Ethernet)? - 1000BASE-T is a Gigabit Ethernet standard that operates at a speed of 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) over copper wiring.
  • What is a cloud server? - A cloud server is a virtual server that operates in a cloud computing environment and makes its resources accessible to users remotely over a network.
  • What is a clustered network-attached storage (NAS) system? - A clustered network-attached storage (NAS) system is a scale-out storage platform made up of multiple NAS nodes networked together into a single cluster.
  • What is a CompactFlash card (CF card)? - A CompactFlash card (CF card) is a memory card format developed by SanDisk in 1994 that uses flash memory technology to store data on a very small portable device.
  • What is a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)? - A complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) is the semiconductor technology used in most of today's integrated circuits (ICs), also known as chips or microchips.
  • What is a data mart (datamart)? - A data mart is a repository of data that is designed to serve a particular community of knowledge workers.
  • What is a distributed file system (DFS)? - A distributed file system (DFS) enables clients to access file storage from multiple hosts through a computer network as if they were accessing local storage.
  • What is a hard disk drive (HDD)? - A computer hard disk drive (HDD) is a non-volatile data storage device.
  • What is a SAN? Ultimate storage area network guide - A storage area network (SAN) is a dedicated high-speed network or subnetwork that interconnects and presents shared pools of storage devices to multiple servers.
  • What is an embedded MultiMediaCard (eMMC)? - An embedded MultiMediaCard (eMMC) is a small storage device made up of NAND flash memory and a storage controller.
  • What is an mSATA SSD (mSATA solid-state drive)? - An mSATA SSD is a solid-state drive that conforms to the mSATA interface specification developed by the Serial ATA (SATA) International Organization.
  • What is an NVDIMM (non-volatile dual in-line memory module)? - An NVDIMM (non-volatile dual in-line memory module) is hybrid computer memory that retains data during a service outage.
  • What is bit rot? - Bit rot is the slow deterioration in the performance and integrity of data stored on storage media.
  • What is Ceph? - Ceph is an open source software solution that provides a unified system for enterprise-level object, block- and file-based storage.
  • What is cloud management? Definition, benefits and guide - Cloud management refers to the exercise of control over public, private or hybrid cloud infrastructure resources and services.