Get started

Get started

Bring yourself up to speed with our introductory content.

• 2024 data storage conference lineup spotlights AI, memory

  The 2024 storage conference calendar featured several high-profile events. Vendors released product updates at these shows while experts discussed top storage trends. Continue Reading

• What is pay-as-you-go cloud computing (PAYG cloud computing)?

  Pay-as-you-go cloud computing, or PAYG cloud computing, is a payment method for cloud computing that charges based on usage. The practice is similar to that of utility bills, using only resources that are needed. Continue Reading

• Block vs. file vs. object storage: Differences explained

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

• What is cloud testing? An introduction to testing in the cloud

  Cloud testing is the process of using the cloud computing resources of a third-party service provider to test software applications. Continue Reading

• Immutable storage: What it is, why it's used and how it works

  A major benefit of immutable storage is insurance against many forms of data loss, such as malicious deletion. It's not infallible, but positives outweigh the potential drawbacks. Continue Reading

• Definitions to Get Started

  • What is pay-as-you-go cloud computing (PAYG cloud computing)?
  • What is cloud testing? An introduction to testing in the cloud
  • What is wear leveling?
  • What is NetApp?

  • What is continuous data protection (CDP)?
  • What is a partition in computers?
  • What is an embedded MultiMediaCard (eMMC)?
  • What is an NVDIMM (non-volatile dual in-line memory module)?

  View All Definitions

• Physical vs. virtual memory: How the two types compare

  Physical memory wasn't enough for storage systems. Computer architects created virtual memory to ease the performance burden and work alongside the physical form.Continue Reading

• How to prepare a data storage budget, with free template

  Budgeting for data storage can be part of an organization's larger budget -- but make sure every line item, from technology purchases to salaries, is included.Continue Reading

• What is wear leveling?

  Wear leveling is a process that is designed to extend the life of solid-state storage devices.Continue Reading

• An intro to CAMM memory and how it compares with DIMMs

  Compression attached memory modules, or CAMMs, are making news as a potential replacement for DRAM DIMMs. How big of a future do they have?Continue Reading

• What is NetApp?

  NetApp, formerly Network Appliance, Inc., is a multinational corporation in the computer technologies industry specializing in data storage hardware, software and cloud services.Continue Reading

• An overview of storage firmware and the importance of updates

  While challenges exist, IT teams that fail to update their storage firmware in a timely manner could put their data and organizations at significant risk.Continue Reading

• How to create Azure Blob Storage accounts

  Follow these steps and best practices for how to create Azure Blob Storage. Keep security in mind as you move through the important, detailed process.Continue Reading

• What is 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

• What is a partition in computers?

  A partition is a logical division of a hard disk drive (HDD) that's treated as a separate unit by operating systems (OSes) and file systems.Continue Reading

• 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.Continue Reading

• 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.Continue Reading

• What is NVMe over Fibre Channel (NVMe over FC)? Definition and Guide

  Non-volatile memory express over Fibre Channel (NVMe over FC) is a technology specification designed to enable NVMe-based message commands to transfer data and status information between a host computer and a target storage subsystem over a Fibre ...Continue Reading

• What is U.2 SSD (formerly SFF-8639)?

  A U.2 SSD is a high-performance data storage device designed to support the Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) interface using a small form factor (SFF) connector that is also compatible with standard SAS and SATA-based spinning disks ...Continue Reading

• What is bit rot?

  Bit rot is the slow deterioration in the performance and integrity of data stored on storage media.Continue Reading

• What is parity in computing?

  In computers, parity (from the Latin paritas, meaning "equal or equivalent") is a technique that checks whether data has been lost or written over when it is moved from one place in storage to another or when it is transmitted between computers.Continue Reading

• What is Ceph?

  Ceph is an open source software solution that provides a unified system for enterprise-level object, block- and file-based storage.Continue Reading

• What is ZFS?

  ZFS is a local file system and logical volume manager created by Sun Microsystems to direct and control the placement, storage and retrieval of data in enterprise-class computing systems.Continue Reading

• What is SSD RAID (solid-state drive RAID)?

  SSD RAID (solid-state drive RAID) is a methodology commonly used to protect data by distributing redundant data blocks across multiple SSDs.Continue Reading

• 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.Continue Reading

• non-volatile memory (NVM)

  Non-volatile memory (NVM) is a type of computer storage medium that retains data even in the absence of a power supply.Continue Reading

• mirror site

  A mirror site is a website or set of files on a computer server that has been copied to another computer server so that the site or files are available from more than one place.Continue Reading

• JEDEC

  JEDEC is a global industry group that develops open standards for microelectronics.Continue Reading

• 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 ...Continue Reading

• 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 ...Continue Reading

• 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.Continue Reading

• 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.Continue Reading

• A primer on Ceph storage technology, products

  Ceph is a scalable distributed storage platform that can evolve as needed. Take a deep dive into its popularity, assorted offerings and how to get around challenges.Continue Reading

• cache memory

  Cache memory is a chip-based computer component that makes retrieving data from the computer's memory more efficient.Continue Reading

• 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.Continue Reading

• bad block

  A bad block is an area of storage media that is no longer reliable for storing and retrieving data because it has been physically damaged or corrupted.Continue Reading

• erasure coding (EC)

  Erasure coding (EC) is a method of data protection in which data is broken into fragments, expanded and encoded with redundant data pieces, and stored across a set of different locations or storage media.Continue Reading

• 3D XPoint

  3D XPoint is memory storage technology that was jointly developed by Intel and Micron Technology. The two vendors intended for the technology to fill a gap in the storage market between dynamic RAM (DRAM) and NAND flash.Continue Reading

• hybrid hard drive (HHD)

  A hybrid hard drive (HHD), sometimes known as a solid-state hybrid drive (SSHD), is a mass storage device that combines a conventional hard disk drive (HDD) and a NAND flash memory module.Continue Reading

• SAN vs. NAS vs. DAS: Key differences and best use cases

  Compare SAN, NAS and DAS and find out what to consider when using each type of storage system. Object storage and the cloud are additional available storage options.Continue Reading

• 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.Continue Reading

• Advanced Host Controller Interface (AHCI)

  Advanced Host Controller Interface, or AHCI, is a technical standard for an interface that enables software to communicate with Serial ATA (SATA) devices.Continue Reading

• Common Internet File System (CIFS)

  CIFS (Common Internet File System) is a protocol that gained popularity around the year 2000, as vendors worked to establish an Internet Protocol-based file-sharing protocol.Continue Reading

• 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.Continue Reading

• 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.Continue Reading

• parallel file system

  A parallel file system is a software component designed to store data across multiple networked servers.Continue Reading

• An overview of storage encryption for enterprises

  The constantly increasing data volumes and locations -- plus the number of security threats -- should push enterprise storage strategies to include strong encryption.Continue Reading

• iSCSI (Internet Small Computer System Interface)

  ISCSI is a transport layer protocol that describes how Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) packets should be transported over a TCP/IP network.Continue Reading

• 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.Continue Reading

• logical unit number (LUN)

  A logical unit number (LUN) is a unique identifier for designating an individual or collection of physical or virtual storage devices that execute input/output (I/O) commands with a host computer, as defined by the Small Computer System Interface (...Continue Reading

• AHCI vs. RAID: Features, differences and applications

  AHCI and RAID are fundamental concepts for running an efficient data management and storage infrastructure. Learn the AHCI and RAID basics, as well as how SATA and IDE compare.Continue Reading

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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