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• business impact analysis (BIA)

  A business impact analysis (BIA) is a systematic process to determine and evaluate the potential effects of an interruption to critical business operations as a result of a disaster, accident or emergency. Continue Reading

• data destruction

  Data destruction is the process of destroying data stored on tapes, hard disks and other forms of electronic media so that it's completely unreadable and can't be accessed or used for unauthorized purposes. Continue Reading

• 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. Continue Reading

• 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. Continue Reading

• enterprise storage

  Enterprise storage is a centralized repository for business information that provides common data management, protection and sharing functions through connections to computer systems. Continue Reading

• Definitions to Get Started

  • business impact analysis (BIA)
  • data destruction
  • software redundant array of independent disk (software RAID)
  • storage as a service (STaaS)

  • enterprise storage
  • IOPS (input/output operations per second)
  • Pure Storage
  • RAID 3 (redundant array of independent disks 3)

  View All Definitions

• IOPS (input/output operations per second)

  IOPS (input/output operations per second) is the standard unit of measurement for the maximum number of reads/writes to noncontiguous storage locations.Continue Reading

• Pure Storage

  Pure Storage is a provider of enterprise data flash storage products designed to substitute for electromechanical disk arrays.Continue Reading

• RAID 3 (redundant array of independent disks 3)

  RAID 3 (redundant array of independent disks 3) is a RAID configuration that uses a parity disk to store the information generated by a RAID controller and uses striping to store the data.Continue Reading

• solid-state storage

  Solid-state storage is a type of computer storage media that stores data electronically and has no moving parts.Continue Reading

• DIMM (dual in-line memory module)

  DIMM, or dual in-line memory module, is a type of computer memory that is natively 64 bits, enabling fast data transfer.Continue Reading

• A primer on multiactuator HDD technology

  Enterprise data centers will soon need HDDs that can exceed today's capacities. Multiactuators, which are on the rise in HDDs, may help solve the problem.Continue Reading

• RAID 50 (RAID 5+0)

  RAID 50, also known as RAID 5+0, combines distributed parity (RAID 5) with striping (RAID 0). It requires a minimum of six drives.Continue Reading

• DRAM (dynamic random access memory)

  DRAM (dynamic random access memory) is a type of semiconductor memory that is typically used for the data or program code needed by a computer processor to function.Continue Reading

• cloud encryption

  Cloud encryption is a service cloud storage providers offer whereby a customer's data is transformed using encryption algorithms from plaintext into ciphertext and stored in the cloud.Continue Reading

• 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.Continue Reading

• How can AI help cloud storage security?

  AI can improve cloud storage security through such uses as encryption, storage management and anomaly detection, but admins must consider risks as well.Continue Reading

• 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.Continue Reading

• Hadoop as a service (HaaS)

  Hadoop as a service (HaaS), also known as Hadoop in the cloud, is a big data analytics framework that stores and analyzes data in the cloud using Hadoop.Continue Reading

• 2024 data storage conference lineup spotlights AI, memory

  The 2024 storage conference calendar features a number of high-profile events. Expect product news from major vendors at these shows, plus discussions about top storage trends.Continue Reading

• 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.Continue Reading

• file system

  In computing, a file system -- sometimes written filesystem -- is a logical and physical system for organizing, managing and accessing the files and directories on a device's solid-state drive (SSD), hard-disk drive (HDD) or other media.Continue Reading

• How AI and cloud storage can work together

  AI can help cloud storage providers with management, but challenges for users include vendor compatibility issues, lack of transparency in cost and privacy concerns.Continue Reading

• 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.Continue Reading

• disk array

  A disk array, also called a storage array, is a data storage system used for block-based storage, file-based storage or object storage.Continue Reading

• Cloudian HyperStore 8 unites file, object storage

  Cloudian's latest release of HyperStore lets hybrid storage deployments seamlessly swap between file and object. Analysts speculate how it will compete in a crowded market.Continue Reading

• disk mirroring (RAID 1)

  Disk mirroring, also known as RAID 1, is the replication of data across two or more disks.Continue Reading

• 7 best practices for cloud storage migration

  While some organizations are moving data back on site, cloud storage is still popular. A successful migration is important -- these best practices and third-party tools could help.Continue Reading

• cloud SLA (cloud service-level agreement)

  A cloud SLA (cloud service-level agreement) is an agreement between a cloud service provider and a customer that ensures a minimum level of service is maintained.Continue Reading

• Why object storage for AI makes sense

  Object storage and AI are two hot trends in tech. They exist on their own but work well together too. Still, organizations must also consider the challenges of using both.Continue Reading

• persistent storage

  Persistent storage is any data storage device that retains data after power to that device is shut off.Continue Reading

• 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.Continue Reading

• shingled magnetic recording (SMR)

  Shingled magnetic recording (SMR) is a technique for writing data to a hard disk drive (HDD) whereby the data tracks partially overlap to increase the areal density and overall storage capacity per disk.Continue Reading

• cloud data management

  Cloud data management is a way to manage data across cloud platforms, either with or instead of on-premises storage.Continue Reading

• cloud hosting

  Cloud hosting is the process of outsourcing an organization's computing and storage resources to a service provider that offers its infrastructure services in a utility model.Continue Reading

• Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE)

  Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FcoE) is a storage protocol that enables Fibre Channel (FC) communications to run directly over Ethernet.Continue Reading

• Top data storage best practices include AI, object storage use

  2023 featured both buzzwords and helpful technologies, but storage admins must distinguish between the two. These top tips can help enterprises store more and stay secure.Continue Reading

• dedicated cloud

  A dedicated cloud is a single-tenant cloud infrastructure, which essentially acts as an isolated, single-tenant public cloud.Continue Reading

• megabyte (MB)

  A megabyte is a unit of data capacity that is equal to 1,000,000 bytes in decimal notation (base 10) or 1,048,576 bytes in binary notation (base 2).Continue Reading

• iSCSI initiator

  An Internet Small Computer System Interface initiator is software or hardware that lets a host computer send data to an external iSCSI-based storage array through an Ethernet network adapter over a TCP-based IP network.Continue Reading

• cloud storage service

  A cloud storage service is a business that maintains and manages its customers' data and makes that data accessible over a network, usually the internet.Continue Reading

• external storage device

  An external storage device, also referred to as auxiliary storage and secondary storage, is a device that contains all the addressable data storage that is not inside a computer's main storage or memory.Continue Reading

• file synchronization (file sync)

  File synchronization (file sync) is a method of keeping files that are stored in several different physical locations up to date.Continue Reading

• HDD form factor (hard disk drive form factor)

  HDD form factor (hard disk drive form factor) is the size or geometry of a data storage device equipped with one or more magnetic-coated spinning platters and one or more moving actuator arms with magnetic heads to read and write information.Continue Reading

• A primer on storage anomaly detection

  Storage admins should continuously monitor systems to identify and act upon unusual behavior. Anomaly detection can proactively address issues before they become serious problems.Continue Reading

• hardware RAID (hardware redundant array of independent disk)

  Hardware RAID is a form of RAID (redundant array of independent disks) where processing is done on the motherboard or a separate RAID card.Continue Reading

• exbibyte (EiB)

  An exbibyte (EiB) is a unit that measures data capacity.Continue Reading

• How to handle Google Cloud Storage costs

  The cost of Google Cloud Storage isn't just about stored data. Administrators must also consider processing, network usage, retrieval and replication.Continue Reading

• block storage

  Block storage is an approach to data storage in which each volume acts as an individual hard drive that is configured by the administrator.Continue Reading

• continuous data protection (CDP)

  Continuous data protection (CDP), also known as continuous backup, is a backup and recovery storage system in which all the data in an enterprise is backed up whenever any change is made.Continue Reading

• An introduction to hybrid multi-cloud storage

  When implementing hybrid multi-cloud, IT teams must continually monitor and evaluate their environments. Understand best practices for this new type of storage platform.Continue Reading

• email archiving

  Email archiving is a systematic approach to saving and protecting the data contained in emails to enable fast retrieval.Continue Reading

• 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.Continue Reading

• 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.Continue Reading

• Comparing RAID levels: 0, 1, 5, 6, 10 and 50 explained

  RAID protects data and improves storage performance and availability, but it can be confusing. Read about the different levels of RAID, the pros and cons, and where they work best.Continue Reading

• Compare Google Cloud Storage vs. Google Drive for enterprises

  Explore the differences between Google Cloud Storage and Google Drive, such as storage type and space, to decide what's best for your enterprise, and consider their similarities.Continue Reading

• object storage

  Object storage, also called object-based storage, is an approach to addressing and manipulating data storage as discrete units, called objects.Continue Reading

• Fibre Channel switch (FC switch)

  A Fibre Channel (FC) switch is a networking device that's compatible with the FC protocol and designed for use in a dedicated storage area network (SAN).Continue Reading

• Compare block vs. file vs. object storage differences, uses

  Object storage has surged in popularity, but file and block still have clearly defined uses. Access, metadata and performance are among admins' key considerations.Continue Reading

• zebibyte (ZiB)

  A zebibyte (ZiB) is a unit used to measure computing and storage capacity.Continue Reading

• virtual storage area network (VSAN)

  A virtual storage area network (VSAN) is a logical partition in a physical storage area network (SAN).Continue Reading

• yobibyte (YiB)

  A yobibyte (YiB) is a unit of measure used to describe data capacity as part of the binary system of measuring computing and storage capacity.Continue Reading

• archive

  An archive is a collection of data moved to a repository for long-term retention, to be kept separate for compliance reasons or moved off primary storage media.Continue Reading

• Compare file storage options in the cloud

  In the hot market of file storage in the public cloud, many options are available across some of the largest vendors, with performance a major consideration.Continue Reading

• cold storage

  Cold storage is a computer system or mode of operation designed for the retention of inactive data.Continue Reading

• 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.Continue Reading

• blockchain storage

  Blockchain storage is a way of saving data in a decentralized network, which utilizes the unused hard disk space of users across the world to store files.Continue Reading

• 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.Continue Reading

• What are 3 top Google Cloud Storage limitations?

  While Google Cloud Storage has several limitations, these three are among the most prevalent -- but users have straightforward ways to get around them.Continue Reading

• capacity management

  Capacity management is the broad term describing a variety of IT monitoring, administration and planning actions that ensure that a computing infrastructure has adequate resources to handle current data processing requirements, as well as the ...Continue Reading

• 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.Continue Reading

• How to create an Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 account

  This tutorial details two different ways admins can set up an Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 account, which will be a necessity when Gen1 isn't an option anymore.Continue Reading

• semiconductor fab

  A semiconductor fab -- short for fabrication -- is a manufacturing plant in which raw silicon wafers are turned into integrated circuits (ICs).Continue Reading

• 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.Continue Reading

• A primer for edge infrastructure deployments

  There are several questions to ask and approaches to consider regarding edge storage and infrastructure. An example of use may help your organization decide on implementation.Continue Reading

• hot plugging

  Hot plugging is the addition of a component to a running computer system without significant interruption to the operation of the system.Continue Reading

• floating gate transistor (FGT)

  A floating gate transistor (FGT) is a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology capable of holding an electrical charge in a memory device that is used to store data.Continue Reading

• pebibyte (PiB)

  A pebibyte (PiB) is a unit of measure that describes data capacity.Continue Reading

• flash memory card

  A flash memory card -- sometimes called a storage card -- is a small storage device that uses non-volatile semiconductor memory to store data on portable or remote computing devices.Continue Reading

• 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.Continue Reading

• tebibyte (TiB)

  A tebibyte (TiB) is a unit of measure used to describe computing capacity.Continue Reading

• all-flash array (AFA)

  An all-flash array (AFA), also known as a solid-state storage disk system or a solid-state array, is an external storage array that supports only flash media for persistent storage.Continue Reading

• flash storage

  Flash storage is any type of drive, repository or system that uses flash memory to write and store data for an extended period.Continue Reading

• EEPROM vs. flash memory: What's the difference?

  Even though there might be a 10 million-to-one price-per-gigabyte difference between EEPROM and NAND flash, each memory type makes sense in its own role.Continue Reading

• 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.Continue Reading

• 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.Continue Reading

• A primer on SSD response time, other performance benchmarks

  Consider several SSD performance benchmarks, including SSD response time, as key units of measurement. Also, note the difference between benchmarks and load generators.Continue Reading

• M.2 SSD

  An M.2 SSD is a small form factor solid-state drive (SSD) that internally mounted storage expansion cards use.Continue Reading

• flash memory

  Flash memory, also known as flash storage, is a type of nonvolatile memory that erases data in units called blocks and rewrites data at the byte level.Continue Reading

• hybrid flash array

  A hybrid flash array is a solid-state storage system that contains a mix of flash memory drives and hard disk drives.Continue Reading

• Flash memory vs. RAM: What's the difference?

  Even though vendors refer to flash memory and conventional RAM -- the main memory of a PC or server -- as solid-state memory, these two memory types are significantly different.Continue Reading

• Charge trap technology advantages for 3D NAND flash drives

  Flash drive cells based on charge trap technology have several advantages over older floating gate cells. However, take note of potential reliability issues.Continue Reading

• How to purchase SSDs during a NAND flash price drop

  Although NAND prices are collapsing, that doesn't mean they will pop back up at some future date. It's rarely a good idea to purchase SSDs well before they are needed.Continue Reading

• SSD form factor

  An SSD form factor is the size, configuration or physical arrangement of solid state storage media. The form factor determines the media's physical compatibility and interchangeability with other computer components or devices.Continue Reading

• write endurance

  Write endurance is the number of program/erase (P/E) cycles that can be applied to a block of flash memory before the storage media becomes unreliable.Continue Reading

• NOR flash memory

  NOR flash memory is one of two types of non-volatile storage technologies.Continue Reading

• mebibyte (MiB)

  A mebibyte (MiB) is a unit of measurement used in computer data storage.Continue Reading

• gibibyte (GiB)

  A gibibyte (GiB) is a unit of measure of capacity in computing.Continue Reading

• 3D NAND flash

  3D NAND is a type of non-volatile flash memory in which the memory cells are stacked vertically in multiple layers.Continue Reading

• 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.Continue Reading

• NAND flash memory

  NAND flash memory is a type of non-volatile storage technology that does not require power to retain data.Continue Reading