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Bring yourself up to speed with our introductory content.
Get started
Bring yourself up to speed with our introductory content.
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
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
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
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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
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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
A primer on quantum computing storage and memory
Quantum computing storage and memory are quite different from traditional storage. The implications for storage capacity, for example, are extraordinary.Continue Reading
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.Continue Reading
megabytes per second (MBps)
Megabytes per second (MBps) is a unit of measurement for data transfer speed to and from a computer storage device.Continue Reading
green cloud
Green cloud refers to the potential environmental benefits that green IT services delivered over the internet can offer to individual companies and society as a whole.Continue Reading
protected mode
Protected mode, also called protected virtual address mode, is the primary mode of operation for an Intel-based x86 microprocessor.Continue Reading
Compare Azure Blob Storage vs. Data Lake
Capacity, security features and pricing are just a few of the many factors to consider when organizations compare Azure Blob Storage and Data Lake.Continue Reading
RAID 5
RAID 5 is a redundant array of independent disks configuration that uses disk striping with parity.Continue Reading
disk mirroring (RAID 1)
Disk mirroring, also known as RAID 1, is the replication of data to two or more disks.Continue Reading
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.Continue Reading
software portability
Software portability is a characteristic attributed to a computer program if it can run with minimal rework on operating systems (OSes) other than the one for which it was created.Continue Reading
NFS vs. CIFS vs. SMB: What are the differences?
There are stark differences among file sharing protocols NFS, CIFS and SMB. Compare access, application deployment, configuration and security, among other key features.Continue Reading
Compare DRAM vs. DRAM-less SSDs for cost, performance
Are DRAM-less SSDs the way of the future? While they're a great fit for hyperscale data centers, other organizations may also find benefits, such as cost.Continue Reading
2023 data storage conference lineup spotlights memory, cloud
While the previous three years featured a majority of virtual or hybrid events, in-person shows dominate the 2023 storage conference calendar. Emerging memory tech is a key focus.Continue Reading
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.Continue Reading
byte
In most computer systems, a byte is a unit of data that is eight binary digits long.Continue Reading
compact disc (CD)
A compact disc is a portable storage medium that can record, store and play back audio, video and other data in digital form.Continue Reading
brontobyte
A brontobyte is an unofficial measure of memory or data storage that is equal to 10 to the 27th power of bytes.Continue Reading
copy data management (CDM)
Copy data management (CDM) is an approach to reducing storage consumption that involves eliminating the unnecessary duplication of production data.Continue Reading
public cloud storage
Public cloud storage, also called online storage, is a service model that provides data storage on a pay-per-use basis.Continue Reading
How can users securely access Google Cloud Storage?
With security top of mind across IT, consider best practices for safe Google Cloud Storage access. Admins should be careful about assigning roles and permissions.Continue Reading
6 best practices for metadata storage and management
Metadata is crucial to getting the most out of data, so organizations should store it properly. Best practices include protection and understanding the IT architecture.Continue Reading
kilobyte (KB or Kbyte)
A kilobyte (KB or Kbyte) is a unit of measurement for computer memory or data storage.Continue Reading
hybrid cloud storage
Hybrid cloud storage is an approach to managing cloud storage that uses both local and off-site resources.Continue Reading
Understand SSD overheating and what to do about it
It's easy for an SSD to overheat, but there are several methods to cool it down. Keep cool, and avoid damage to the SSD's data retention and integrity.Continue Reading
cloud archive
A cloud archive is storage as a service for long-term data retention.Continue Reading
failover
Failover is a backup operational mode in which the functions of a system component are assumed by a secondary component when the primary becomes unavailable.Continue Reading
cloud storage provider
A cloud storage provider, sometimes referred to as a managed service provider, is a company that offers organizations and individuals the ability to place and retain data in an off-site storage system.Continue Reading
Fibre Channel
Fibre Channel is a high-speed networking technology primarily used for transmitting data among data centers, computer servers, switches and storage at data rates of up to 128 Gbps.Continue Reading
nearline storage
Nearline storage is the on-site storage of data on removable media.Continue Reading
Top data storage best practices include security, sustainability
Budgets are tight and risks are pervasive, so it's critical for admins to get the most out of storage. These tips touch on areas such as sensitive data storage and sustainability.Continue Reading
petabyte
A petabyte is a measure of memory or data storage capacity that is equal to 2 to the 50th power of bytes.Continue Reading
data compression
Data compression is a reduction in the number of bits needed to represent data.Continue Reading
data migration
Data migration is the process of transferring data between data storage systems, data formats or computer systems.Continue Reading
Kilo, mega, giga, tera, peta, exa, zetta and all that
Kilo, mega, giga, tera, peta, exa and zetta are among the binary prefixes used to denote the quantity of something, such as a byte or bit in computing and telecommunications.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
distributed file system (DFS)
A distributed file system (DFS) is a file system that enables clients to access file storage from multiple hosts through a computer network as if the user was accessing local storage.Continue Reading
zettabyte
A zettabyte is a unit of measurement used by technology professionals and the general public to describe a computer or other device's storage capacity.Continue Reading
A primer on CXL technology uses
The Compute Express Link, an open source memory interconnect, is gaining traction. Take a deep dive into why it's important and how it improves performance.Continue Reading
Stay organized with 6 file storage best practices
File storage can quickly become disorganized without organizational planning. Use best practices like retention policies and naming conventions to easily manage file storage.Continue Reading
pay-as-you-go cloud computing (PAYG cloud computing)
Pay-as-you-go cloud computing (PAYG cloud computing) is a payment method for cloud computing that charges based on usage.Continue Reading
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.Continue Reading
direct-attached storage (DAS)
Direct-attached storage (DAS) is a type of storage that is attached directly to a computer without going through a network.Continue Reading
How do storage scalability and elasticity differ?
Storage elasticity is less well known than scalability, but it helps admins with efficiency and cost. Both elasticity and scalability are key to modern storage systems.Continue Reading
What to know about SMART SSD use
This overview of SMART attributes in SSDs explains how organizations can put them to good use. SMART SSDs provide peace of mind about device life span.Continue Reading
A primer on disaggregated storage
Disaggregated storage enables organizations to scale compute and storage separately for high-performance, low-latency workloads. Some benefits are cost savings and flexibility.Continue Reading
Key differences in software RAID vs. hardware RAID
Hardware RAID generally costs more than software RAID but may offer better performance. Consider factors like cost, performance needs and OSes to find the best fit.Continue Reading
data lifecycle management (DLM)
Data lifecycle management (DLM) is a policy-based approach to managing the flow of an information system's data throughout its lifecycle: from creation and initial storage to when it becomes obsolete and is deleted.Continue Reading
converged network adapter (CNA)
A converged network adapter (CNA) is a single network interface device that provides the functionality of both a Fibre Channel (FC) host bus adapter (HBA) and a TCP/IP Ethernet network interface card (NIC).Continue Reading
litigation hold (legal hold, preservation order or hold order)
A litigation hold -- also known as legal hold, preservation order or hold order -- is an internal process that an organization undergoes to preserve all data that might relate to a legal action involving the organization.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
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.Continue Reading
garbage collection (GC)
Garbage collection (GC) is a memory recovery feature built into programming languages such as C# and Java.Continue Reading
Explore top data lake providers for substantial storage use
Don't be deterred by the murky waters of data lake technology. Fishing for the right provider to accelerate your analytics is probably easier than you think.Continue Reading
Common Information Model (CIM)
The Common Information Model (CIM) is a computer industry standard that defines device and application characteristics so system administrators and management programs can control devices and applications from different manufacturers.Continue Reading
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.Continue Reading
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.Continue Reading
World Wide Name (WWN)
A World Wide Name (WWN) is a unique identifier that is hard-coded into each Fibre Channel (FC) device by the device's manufacturer.Continue Reading
Fibre Channel (FC) port types
A Fibre Channel port is a hardware pathway into and out of a node that performs data communications over an FC link.Continue Reading
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.Continue Reading
N_Port ID virtualization (NPIV)
N_Port ID virtualization (NPIV) is a Fibre Channel (FC) standard that makes it possible to create multiple virtual ports on a single physical node port (N_Port), with each virtual port appearing as a unique entity to the FC network.Continue Reading
A guide to Microsoft Azure storage pricing
Take a deep dive into the costs of Microsoft Azure cloud storage across several different types, including Blob and Files. Compare pricing with AWS and Google Cloud.Continue Reading
overprovisioning (SSD overprovisioning)
Overprovisioning, in a storage context, is the inclusion of extra storage capacity in a solid-state drive.Continue Reading
flash solid-state drive (SSD)
A flash solid-state drive (SSD) is a non-volatile storage device that stores persistent data in flash memory.Continue Reading
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.Continue Reading
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.Continue Reading
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.Continue Reading
A primer on the NVMe management ecosystem
The NVMe management ecosystem has a lot of moving parts and confusing acronyms. This overview details the various specifications and how they work together.Continue Reading
write amplification factor (WAF)
Write amplification factor (WAF) is a numerical value that represents the amount of data a solid-state drive (SSD) controller writes in relation to the amount of data that the host's flash controller writes.Continue Reading
Cloud Data Management Interface (CDMI)
The Cloud Data Management Interface (CDMI) is an international standard that defines a functional interface that applications use to create, retrieve, update and delete data elements from cloud storage.Continue Reading
NAND flash wear-out
NAND flash wear-out is the breakdown of the oxide layer within the floating gate transistors of NAND flash memory.Continue Reading
What to look for in a green cloud storage provider
Alongside cost and flexibility, a commitment to sustainability is a key consideration for organizations trying to choose a cloud storage provider.Continue Reading
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.Continue Reading
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.Continue Reading
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.Continue Reading
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.Continue Reading
cloud washing
Cloud washing (also spelled cloudwashing) is the purposeful and sometimes deceptive attempt by a vendor to rebrand an old product or service by associating the buzzword 'cloud' with it.Continue Reading
HD-DVD (high-definition DVD)
HD-DVD (high-definition DVD) is a defunct high-capacity optical storage medium that was once seen as the successor to the DVD.Continue Reading
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.Continue Reading
hierarchical storage management (HSM)
Hierarchical storage management (HSM) is policy-based management of data files that uses storage media economically and without the user being aware of when files are retrieved from storage.Continue Reading
exabyte (EB)
An exabyte (EB) is a large unit of computer data storage, two to the sixtieth power bytes.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
storage filer
A storage filer is a type of file server designed and programmed for high-volume data storage, backup and archiving.Continue Reading
information lifecycle management (ILM)
Information lifecycle management (ILM) is a comprehensive approach to managing an organization's data and associated metadata, starting with its creation and acquisition through when it becomes obsolete and is deleted.Continue Reading
WORM (write once, read many)
In computer media, write once, read many, or WORM, is a data storage technology that allows data to be written to a storage medium a single time and prevents the data from being erased or modified.Continue Reading