Zadara Glossary

Take a deep dive into Zadara and explore key terms like Sovereign AI, Edge Cloud and Mult-tenancy.

  • An AI Factory is a scalable, modular, and automated infrastructure designed to develop, train, deploy, and maintain artificial intelligence (AI) models in a repeatable and efficient manner—much like a physical factory builds products. At its core, an AI Factory applies principles of(...)
  • AI Governance refers to the frameworks, policies, and processes that guide the ethical development, deployment, and management of artificial intelligence systems. It ensures AI technologies align with legal standards, societal values, and organizational goals, promoting transparency,(...)
  • AI Reasoning refers to the capacity of artificial intelligence systems to emulate or replicate human-like reasoning processes. It enables machines to interpret data, draw logical inferences, make decisions, and solve problems based on evidence, rules, or learned patterns. Unlike narrow AI(...)
  • Auto-tiering is a storage management feature that automatically moves data between different types of storage media—such as SSDs, hard drives, and archival storage—based on how frequently the data is accessed. Frequently used (hot) data is placed on faster, more expensive storage, while(...)
  • Backup and archival storage are both essential components of data protection, but they serve different purposes. Backup storage is used to create copies of active data for quick recovery in case of data loss, corruption, or system failure. It is typically updated frequently and designed for(...)
  • Block storage is a type of data storage commonly used in enterprise environments where data is stored in fixed-size chunks called blocks. Each block has a unique address and can be accessed independently, making block storage highly efficient and suitable for performance-intensive(...)
  • Block Storage as a Service (BSaaS) is a cloud-based offering that provides scalable and on-demand block-level storage resources to users, typically for use with virtual machines, databases, and other performance-critical applications. It allows customers to provision, manage, and attach(...)
  • Cloud-based GPU refers to a service model where graphics processing units (GPUs) are accessed remotely over the internet through cloud computing infrastructure. Instead of installing and managing physical GPUs locally, users can rent GPU-powered virtual machines (VMs) or containers from cloud(...)
  • Cloud computing is a model for delivering computing services—including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, analytics, and intelligence—over the internet ("the cloud") on a pay-as-you-go basis. Instead of owning and maintaining physical infrastructure and data centers, users(...)
  • Cloud Infrastructure Management refers to the centralized oversight, configuration, optimization, and governance of cloud-based resources—such as compute, storage, networking, and security—used to deliver services in public, private, hybrid, or multi-cloud environments. It encompasses the(...)
  • A Cloud Management Platform (CMP) is a suite of integrated tools designed to manage cloud computing resources and services across diverse environments. It provides organizations with the ability to control, monitor, provision, and automate cloud-based workloads and services from a single(...)
  • Cloud multi-tenancy is a software architecture in which a single instance of a cloud service—such as storage, compute, database, or application—serves multiple customers (tenants) while ensuring that each tenant’s data and operations remain logically isolated and secure. This model enables(...)
  • Cloud storage for enterprises is a scalable, flexible, and cost-effective solution that enables organizations to store, access, and manage vast amounts of data over the internet. It supports a wide range of use cases, including data backup, disaster recovery, collaboration, and big data(...)
  • Cloud storage for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) is a key offering that enables them to deliver scalable, secure, and cost-effective data storage solutions to their clients. By leveraging cloud infrastructure, MSPs can provide services such as data backup, disaster recovery, file sharing,(...)
  • A Cloud Virtual Machine (Cloud VM) is a virtual server hosted in a cloud environment, designed to deliver computing power on demand. It emulates the capabilities of a physical computer, including a CPU, memory, disk storage, and networking—but is provisioned through software and runs on a(...)
  • Converged and hyperconverged infrastructure are both approaches to simplifying data center operations by integrating compute, storage, and networking resources, but they differ in architecture and management. Converged infrastructure combines these components into a single, pre-configured(...)
  •  Data networks are systems that connect computers, devices, and servers to share information and resources efficiently. They use physical and wireless technologies to transmit data between endpoints, enabling communication across local, regional, or global scales. Data networks include(...)
  • Data protection and backup solutions are systems, strategies, and tools designed to preserve the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of digital information. These solutions ensure that data remains secure, recoverable, and compliant with regulatory requirements in the event of(...)
  • A Database Management System (DBMS) is a software application that enables users and programs to define, create, manage, and manipulate databases. It provides a structured environment for storing, retrieving, updating, and administering data efficiently while ensuring consistency, security,(...)
  • Database virtualization is a technology that abstracts the details of the physical database infrastructure, allowing users and applications to access and interact with data without needing to know where or how it is stored. It creates a unified, virtual view of multiple databases, often(...)
  • Disaster Recovery (DR) refers to the structured approach and technologies used to quickly restore IT systems, applications, and data after outages or cyber incidents. It ensures minimal downtime and protects against data loss, safeguarding critical digital infrastructure. DR strategies often(...)
  • Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) is a cloud-based solution that enables businesses to back up their critical IT infrastructure and applications to a third-party provider’s environment, ensuring data recovery and operational continuity in the event of a disaster. DRaaS replicates an(...)
  • Edge Cloud Computing is a distributed computing paradigm that brings data storage and computational power closer to the physical location of data generation and consumption—typically at or near the "edge" of the network. By reducing the distance data must travel to centralized cloud data(...)
  • Edge cloud storage is a decentralized data storage solution that places storage resources closer to end users or devices at the edge of the network, rather than relying solely on centralized cloud storage systems. This approach minimizes latency and accelerates data access by reducing the(...)
  • Edge computing is a distributed computing paradigm that processes data closer to the source of data generation—such as sensors, mobile devices, or local servers—rather than relying solely on centralized data centers or cloud platforms. By analyzing and managing data at the network's edge,(...)
  • Enterprise cloud storage refers to cloud-based data storage solutions specifically designed to meet the performance, scalability, security, compliance, and integration needs of large organizations. Unlike consumer-grade cloud storage services, enterprise cloud storage is engineered for(...)
  • Factory AI refers to the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies within manufacturing and industrial operations to automate, optimize, and enhance production processes. It combines machine learning, computer vision, robotics, digital twins, IoT (Internet of Things), and big(...)
  • File storage is a data storage architecture that organizes and stores digital information in a hierarchical system of files and folders, much like how physical documents are stored in file cabinets. In this system, each file is placed within a folder (also called a directory), and each folder(...)
  • File Storage as a Service (FSaaS) is a cloud-based data storage model that provides on-demand, scalable access to file storage systems over the internet. Designed for ease of use, FSaaS allows users and applications to store, retrieve, share, and manage files using familiar hierarchical(...)
  • A firewall is a network security system that monitors, filters, and controls incoming and outgoing traffic based on predetermined security rules. Acting as a barrier between trusted internal networks and untrusted external sources—such as the internet—a firewall is designed to prevent(...)
  • GPU as a Service (GPUaaS) is a cloud-based computing model that delivers access to Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) over the internet on a pay-as-you-go basis. It enables businesses, researchers, and developers to harness the power of high-performance GPUs without investing in costly(...)
  • GPU Cloud refers to a cloud computing service model that provides access to Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) over the internet, enabling scalable, on-demand acceleration for compute-intensive workloads such as deep learning, 3D rendering, scientific modeling, real-time analytics, and(...)
  • A Hardware Container is a specialized, modular infrastructure unit that integrates compute, storage, and networking components into a compact, secure, and portable form factor. Typically built into ruggedized enclosures or self-contained chassis, hardware containers are designed to deliver(...)
  • High-Performance Cloud Storage refers to a class of cloud-based data storage solutions engineered for speed, scalability, and responsiveness. It is optimized to deliver low-latency, high-throughput access to data across workloads that demand rapid reads and writes, such as big data analytics,(...)
  • Hybrid cloud is a computing architecture that integrates two or more distinct cloud environments—typically a combination of private cloud, public cloud, and on-premises infrastructure—to enable data and applications to move seamlessly between them. This model offers businesses the flexibility(...)
  • A hypervisor, also known as a virtual machine monitor (VMM), is a specialized software, firmware, or hardware platform that enables the creation and management of virtual machines (VMs). It allows multiple operating systems (OSes) to run simultaneously on a single physical machine by(...)
  • Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) is a form of cloud computing that provides virtualized computing infrastructure over the internet. Instead of purchasing and managing physical servers, networking gear, storage devices, and data centers, organizations can rent IT infrastructure from cloud(...)
  • Identity and Access Management (IAM) is a framework of technologies, policies, and processes that ensures the right individuals and entities can access the appropriate resources at the right times and for the right reasons. IAM systems authenticate user identities and manage what resources(...)
  • Kubernetes (often abbreviated as K8s) is an open-source container orchestration platform that automates the deployment, scaling, management, and operations of containerized applications. Originally developed by Google and now maintained by the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF),(...)
  • A load balancer is a networking device or software solution that distributes incoming network or application traffic across multiple servers to ensure no single server bears too much demand. This helps improve the availability, reliability, performance, and scalability of applications,(...)
  • Managed Postgres refers to a fully managed, cloud-based deployment of PostgreSQL, a popular open-source relational database management system (RDBMS). In a managed Postgres service, the cloud provider or a third-party platform handles all the administrative tasks associated with running a(...)
  • Managed Storage Services are cloud-based or on-premises solutions in which a third-party provider delivers and oversees the storage infrastructure required by an organization. These services include provisioning, maintaining, monitoring, scaling, and securing data storage systems—whether(...)
  • Multi-tenancy is an architecture in which a single instance of a software application, database, or computing environment serves multiple distinct user groups—known as tenants—while keeping their data and configurations logically separated. Each tenant may be an individual user, a department(...)
  • Multi-tenant storage solutions refer to storage systems architected to securely serve multiple users—known as tenants—within a shared storage environment. Each tenant’s data is logically isolated while physical infrastructure resources such as storage hardware, network bandwidth, and(...)
  • NVIDIA BlueField is a family of data processing units (DPUs) that revolutionize how data centers operate by offloading and accelerating infrastructure workloads such as networking, storage, security, and virtualization. Positioned at the convergence of compute, networking, and security,(...)
  • NVIDIA GPU Cloud (NGC) is a comprehensive software platform developed by NVIDIA that provides optimized GPU-accelerated software containers, pre-trained AI models, model training scripts, and enterprise-grade tools designed to simplify and accelerate the development and deployment of(...)
  • NVMe storage cloud refers to cloud-based storage services that leverage Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) technology to provide ultra-fast, low-latency access to data. NVMe is a high-performance storage interface and protocol designed specifically for solid-state drives (SSDs) and modern(...)
  • Object storage is a modern data storage architecture that manages data as discrete units called "objects," rather than as blocks (as in block storage) or hierarchical files (as in file storage). Each object typically includes the data itself, a variable amount of metadata, and a globally(...)
  • Object Storage-as-a-Service (OSaaS) refers to a cloud-based data storage model that provides users with scalable, durable, and accessible object storage infrastructure on demand. It enables businesses to store unstructured data as discrete objects in a flat address space, accessible via APIs(...)
  • On-demand cloud infrastructure refers to the provisioning and consumption of computing resources such as virtual machines (VMs), storage, networking, and other services over the internet, on an as-needed basis. Unlike traditional IT environments that require upfront investments in hardware(...)
  • Private cloud storage solutions are secure, scalable, and dedicated storage environments designed exclusively for a single organization. Unlike public cloud storage—which is shared among multiple tenants—private cloud storage provides isolated infrastructure, offering organizations full(...)
  • Replication in the context of cloud computing and data storage refers to the process of copying and maintaining one or more versions of the same dataset across multiple systems, servers, locations, or environments. This technology is fundamental to achieving data redundancy, high(...)
  • Snapshots are point-in-time copies of data or system states used primarily for backup, recovery, testing, and versioning in cloud, virtualization, and storage environments. Unlike full backups, snapshots are often incremental and can capture only the changes made since the last snapshot,(...)
  • Sovereign AI refers to the capability of a nation, region, or organization to independently develop, deploy, and govern artificial intelligence systems according to its own strategic interests, cultural values, and legal frameworks. It emphasizes autonomy over critical AI infrastructure, data(...)
  • Sovereign cloud refers to a cloud computing environment that ensures data is subject only to the laws and governance structures of the country or region where it resides. It guarantees that all data—including metadata—is handled, processed, and stored in accordance with local jurisdictional(...)
  • Sovereign data refers to digital information that is subject to the jurisdiction, laws, and governance of the country or region in which it originates, is processed, or resides. The concept centers on the principle that data—especially sensitive, personal, or strategic information—should(...)
  • Storage-as-a-Service (STaaS) is a cloud-based storage delivery model in which a service provider supplies storage capacity and management services to customers on a subscription or pay-as-you-go basis. Rather than owning and maintaining physical storage infrastructure, organizations can rent(...)
  • Thin provisioning is a data storage optimization technique that allocates physical storage resources to applications or virtual machines only when the data is actually written, rather than reserving the full requested capacity upfront. This method allows storage administrators to present more(...)
  • vCPU, or virtual Central Processing Unit, is a logical processor that is allocated to a virtual machine (VM) by a hypervisor in a virtualized computing environment. A vCPU represents a portion of the underlying physical CPU’s resources and acts as the VM’s primary unit of processing power,(...)
  • A Virtual Machine (VM) is a software-based emulation of a physical computer that runs an operating system (OS) and applications in an isolated environment on virtualized hardware. Managed by a hypervisor, a VM shares the underlying physical resources—such as CPU, memory, and storage—with(...)
  • A Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) is a logically isolated section of a public cloud where users can launch and manage cloud resources—such as virtual machines, storage, and applications—in a secure and customizable environment. While hosted on a shared infrastructure, a VPC offers the look and(...)
  • A VM Host, also known as a hypervisor host, is a physical server that runs one or more Virtual Machines (VMs) by sharing its underlying hardware resources. These hosts serve as the foundational infrastructure in virtualized and cloud environments, enabling multiple isolated operating systems(...)
  • A Virtual Private Storage Array (VPSA) is a software-defined storage architecture that delivers secure, dedicated, and scalable storage services in a cloud, hybrid, or on-premises environment. Unlike traditional storage systems that require physical deployment and manual configuration, a VPSA(...)