Storage architecture

Definitions about storage and data management including backup/recovery vocabulary, business intelligence terminology, storage area networks and database management.
  • 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 (SCSI) standard.
  • lossless and lossy compression - Lossless and lossy file compression describe whether all original data can be recovered when the file is uncompressed.
  • LTO-5 - LTO-5 is a tape format released in 2010 by the Linear Tape-Open Consortium.
  • LUN masking - LUN masking is an authorization mechanism used in storage area networks (SANs) to make LUNs available to some hosts but unavailable to other hosts.
  • LZW compression - LZW compression is a method to reduce the size of Tag Image File Format (TIFF) or Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) files.
  • M.2 SSD - An M.2 SSD is a small form factor solid-state drive (SSD) that internally mounted storage expansion cards use.
  • magnetic storage - Magnetic storage has been around in many forms since 1888 by Oberlan Smith, who publicized his audio recording on a wire in Electrical World.
  • magnetic tape storage - Magnetic tape is one of the oldest technologies for electronic data storage.
  • 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).
  • memory - Memory is the electronic holding place for the instructions and data a computer needs to reach quickly.
  • metadata - Often referred to as data that describes other data, metadata is structured reference data that helps to sort and identify attributes of the information it describes.
  • Microsoft iSCSI Initiator - Microsoft iSCSI Initiator is a tool that connects external iSCSI-based storage to host computers with an Ethernet network adapter.
  • mSATA SSD (mSATA solid-state drive) - An mSATA SSD is a solid-state drive (SSD) that conforms to the mSATA interface specification developed by the Serial ATA (SATA) International Organization.
  • Multipath I/O (MPIO) - Multipath I/O (MPIO) is a Microsoft framework designed to mitigate the effects of a host bus adapter (HBA) failure by providing an alternate data path between storage network devices.
  • 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.
  • NetApp SolidFire - NetApp SolidFire is a business division of NetApp Inc.
  • 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 disk - An optical disk is an electronic data storage medium that can be written to and read from using a low-powered laser beam.
  • 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 0 (disk striping) - RAID 0 (disk striping) is the process of dividing a body of data into blocks and spreading the data blocks across multiple storage devices, such as hard disks or solid-state drives (SSDs), in a redundant array of independent disks group.
  • 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 5 - RAID 5 is a redundant array of independent disks configuration that uses disk striping with parity.
  • 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.
  • read-only memory (ROM) - Read-only memory, or ROM, is a type of computer storage containing non-volatile, permanent data that, normally, can only be read, not written to.
  • 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.
  • Server Message Block protocol (SMB protocol) - The Server Message Block protocol (SMB protocol) is a client-server communication protocol used for sharing access to files, printers, serial ports and other resources on a network.
  • 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 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.
  • 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.
  • throughput - Throughput is a measure of how many units of information a system can process in a given amount of time.
  • 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.