Glossary of Terms
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Select a letter
A
Aerial Density
Areal Density refers to the amount of data that can be stored on a given amount of physical space on a disk drive. It is typically measured in gigabits per square inch (Gb/in²). Higher areal densities usually mean more data can be stored on a disk.
AFR
The Annualized Failure Rate (AFR) is the estimated probability of a hardware device failing during a year of operation. A lower AFR indicates a more reliable product.
AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science focused on creating machines and software that can learn, reason, perceive, and process natural language, similar to the human mind. AI requires vast amounts of data and fast processing power. Western Digital's high-capacity, high-performance storage solutions are designed to meet the demanding needs of AI applications.
B
Backup
A backup refers to the process of making a secondary copy of data that can be restored if the primary copy becomes lost or corrupted. Backing up data is a key component of any effective data management strategy. Western Digital provides a range of backup solutions, including external hard drives and network-attached storage devices, to help users protect their valuable data.
C
Cache
In computing, a cache is a high-speed data storage layer that stores a subset of data, typically transient in nature, so that future requests for that data can be served faster. In the context of hard drives and SSDs, a cache can greatly improve data access times. Western Digital's storage solutions feature robust cache systems, ensuring quick data access and smooth performance.
Capacity
Capacity refers to the total amount of data a storage device can hold. It's typically measured in bytes, with modern storage devices often having capacities in the terabytes (TB) or even petabytes (PB). Western Digital offers a wide range of storage solutions, from compact flash drives to high-capacity data center drives, to meet diverse storage capacity requirements.
Conventional Magnetic Recording (CMR)
Conventional Magnetic Recording (CMR), also known as Perpendicular Magnetic Recording (PMR), is a hard drive technology where data is written in parallel tracks on the disk. CMR drives offer consistent performance and are ideal for applications with heavy workloads.
D
Data Center
A data center is a facility that houses computer systems, servers, networking equipment, and data storage devices. These centers are critical for storing, processing, and managing vast amounts of data. Western Digital provides advanced data center storage solutions, enabling businesses to handle complex workloads and data-intensive applications efficiently.
Data Mirroring
Data mirroring is a method of data backup and protection where data is copied in real-time from one drive to another, creating an exact copy or 'mirror'. In the event of a hardware failure, data can be recovered from the mirrored drive. Western Digital's range of storage solutions supports data mirroring, providing additional data security for your peace of mind.
DRAM
DRAM is a type of volatile memory used by devices to store information that needs to be accessed quickly. It's often used in computers, servers, and other electronics. Some Western Digital drives use DRAM for caching to enhance performance.
Dual Actuator
A dual actuator in a hard drive uses two actuators to control the movement of the read/write heads, effectively doubling the speed at which data can be accessed. Western Digital's dual actuator drives offer high-speed performance, making them ideal for high-performance computing and data-intensive applications.
E
EAMR
Energy-Assisted Magnetic Recording (EAMR) is a technology that improves the areal density and reliability of hard drives. It uses energy, like heat or microwaves, to assist in writing data to the drive. Western Digital's EAMR drives offer improved performance and reliability, making them ideal for high-capacity storage needs.
Encryption
Encryption is a method of protecting data by converting it into a code to prevent unauthorized access. Western Digital provides storage solutions with built-in encryption features, safeguarding your data by making it unreadable to anyone who doesn't have the decryption key.
Endurance
In the context of storage devices, endurance refers to the amount of data that can be written to a device before it becomes unreliable. Endurance is especially important for SSDs, which have a finite number of write cycles.
ePMR
ePMR, or Energy-enhanced Perpendicular Magnetic Recording, is a type of EAMR technology. It uses energy to enhance the traditional PMR method of data recording, improving areal density and data reliability. Western Digital's ePMR drives combine the proven reliability of PMR technology with the advantages of energy assistance, offering high-capacity, high-reliability storage solutions.
EPO
Emergency Power Off, or EPO, is a safety measure that allows for the immediate shutdown of a system in case of an emergency. Western Digital's data center solutions support EPO functionality, providing an additional layer of safety for your data center operations.
F
Flash Memory
Flash memory is a type of non-volatile storage that can be electronically erased and reprogrammed. It's a technology commonly found in SSDs, memory cards, and USB flash drives. Western Digital's innovative application of flash memory technology ensures rapid data access and robust performance across our product line.
FPGA
Field-Programmable Gate Array. An FPGA is a semiconductor device that can be programmed after manufacturing to carry out a variety of tasks. They're used in a variety of applications, including data processing and storage systems.
H
HDD
A Hard Disk Drive (HDD) is a data storage device commonly used in computers and servers. It stores digital information on a rotating platter with a moving read/write head. Known for their cost-effectiveness and high-capacity storage, HDDs have been a staple in the digital storage landscape. Explore Western Digital's range of HDDs to meet your diverse storage needs.
Heatsink
A heatsink is a device that absorbs and dissipates heat from electronic components, like processors and high-performance storage devices, to prevent overheating. Western Digital's high-performance drives often include heatsinks, ensuring optimal performance and longevity by keeping drive temperatures in check.
HelioSeal
Hermetically sealed helium inside HDD drives enables more disks, as well as quieter operation and low power usage.
Hybrid Cloud
Hybrid cloud is a computing environment that combines a mix of on-premises, private cloud, and public cloud services with orchestration between the platforms. This model allows data and applications to be shared between them, and provides businesses with greater flexibility, more deployment options, and helps optimize existing infrastructure, security, and compliance.
I
IIoT
Industrial Internet of Things
iNAND
iNAND is a type of flash memory developed by Western Digital. It's designed for use in various devices such as smartphones, tablets, and embedded systems, providing reliable, high-speed storage in a compact form factor.
Instant Secure Erase (ISE)
Instant Secure Erase is a drive feature that allows for the rapid erasure of data, providing a fast method of securely sanitizing a drive by deleting the encryption key. Western Digital drives with this feature offer a quick and efficient way to securely erase sensitive data, making drive repurposing or disposal safe and easy.
IOPS
IOPS is a common performance measurement used to benchmark computer storage devices like hard disk drives (HDD), solid state drives (SSD), and storage area networks (SAN). Higher IOPS indicate faster data transfer rates. Western Digital's high-performance drives deliver high IOPS, ensuring rapid data access and processing for your applications.
IP54
IP54 is an international standard for ingress protection (IP) that signifies a device's resistance to dust and water. The first digit (5) indicates the level of protection against solid objects, while the second digit (4) denotes protection against liquids. Western Digital offers durable IP54-rated storage solutions for users seeking reliable storage in varying environmental conditions.
IsoVibe
Precise cuts in the baseboard provide a suspension for the drives in the chassis, isolating them from transmitted vibration.
J
JBOD
JBOD is a method of combining multiple hard drives into one logical unit without any RAID configuration. The drives operate independently, and their total capacity is the sum of each drive's capacity. Western Digital offers a variety of JBOD-ready drives, providing flexible storage solutions for various needs.Industrial Internet of Things
JBOF
JBOF, or Just a Bunch Of Flash, is a storage system that houses multiple flash storage devices such as SSDs. It's designed to maximize the advantages of flash memory, like high-speed data access, in a compact form factor. Western Digital's JBOF solutions provide high-capacity, high-speed storage for data-intensive applications and workloads.
M
M.2
M.2 is a form factor for storage devices, typically used for SSDs. M.2 SSDs are compact and versatile, suitable for a variety of applications, including laptops, desktops, and servers. They can use different interfaces like SATA or PCIe, with the latter offering faster data transfer speeds. Explore Western Digital's range of M.2 SSDs, designed for both performance and convenience.
microSD Card
A microSD card is a smaller variant of the SD card and is commonly used in devices where space is at a premium, such as smartphones and action cameras. Despite their small size, microSD cards can offer significant storage capacities. Western Digital's microSD cards combine compact size with large storage capacity and fast data transfer rates.
ML
Machine Learning
MTBF
MTBF is a reliability measure typically used in the electronics industry, including storage devices. It represents the average time between system failures and is typically measured in hours. A higher MTBF indicates a more reliable product.
N
NAND
NAND flash memory is a type of non-volatile storage technology that does not require power to retain data. It's used in a wide range of devices like SSDs, USB drives, and memory cards. Western Digital leverages NAND technology to deliver high-speed, reliable storage solutions across its product lineup.
NAS
NAS, or Network Attached Storage, is a dedicated device connected to a network that provides data storage and retrieval to authorized network clients. Ideal for small businesses and home networks, Western Digital's NAS solutions offer centralized, reliable, and accessible storage for your networked devices.
Network Latency
Also called lag, is used to describe delays in communication over a network.
NVMe
NVMe, or Non-Volatile Memory Express, is a protocol designed specifically for accessing high-speed storage media like SSDs over a computer's PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) bus. NVMe enables faster data transfer rates compared to older protocols. Experience the speed of Western Digital's NVMe SSDs, designed for high-performance computing.
NVMe-oF
NVMe over Fabrics allows NVMe-based storage to be shared between hosts at comparable performance to locally-attached SSDs.
NVR
Network Video Recorder. Gateway appliance for surveillance system.
O
OptiNAND
The latest in HDD technology, OptiNAND adds a flash layer to offload expanded metadata, reducing DRAM need.
P
PB
Petabyte
PCIe
PCIe, or Peripheral Component Interconnect Express, is a high-speed interface standard used for connecting hardware devices, like SSDs, to a computer. It offers faster data transfer rates compared to older standards like SATA. Western Digital's PCIe SSDs deliver lightning-fast performance to enhance your computing experience.
Private Cloud
Private cloud refers to a model of cloud computing where IT services are provisioned over private IT infrastructure for the dedicated use of a single organization. This model offers greater control and privacy, and is often used by organizations that have stringent data security and regulatory compliance requirements.
Public Cloud
Public cloud refers to the standard model of cloud computing in which a service provider makes resources, such as applications and storage, available to the general public over the internet. These services may be free or offered on a pay-per-usage model. Public clouds offer scalability and cost-effectiveness, as they eliminate the need to purchase and maintain on-premises hardware.
R
RAID
RAID, or Redundant Array of Independent Disks, is a method of storing the same data across multiple hard drives to protect against data loss and improve performance. Western Digital offers a variety of RAID-ready storage solutions to help secure your critical information while optimizing performance.
RISC-V
RISC-V (pronounced "risk-five") is an open standard instruction set architecture (ISA) based on established reduced instruction set computer (RISC) principles. It provides a new level of free, extensible software and hardware freedom on architecture, paving the way for the next 50 years of computing design and innovation. Western Digital is a strong proponent of RISC-V, integrating it into various products to drive innovation.
S
SAS
SAS, or Serial Attached SCSI, is a high-speed interface standard used for connecting storage devices to a computer. It is typically used in enterprise environments due to its high performance, reliability, and data integrity features. Western Digital's SAS drives deliver robust performance and reliability for businesses with demanding storage needs.
SATA
SATA, or Serial ATA, is a standard interface for connecting storage devices like HDDs and SSDs to a computer's motherboard. Known for its cost-effectiveness and compatibility, SATA is widely used in consumer and enterprise storage solutions. Western Digital offers a wide range of SATA HDDs and SSDs, providing reliable storage with excellent value.
SCSI
SCSI, pronounced "scuzzy," stands for Small Computer System Interface. It is a standard for connecting and transferring data between computers and peripheral devices. While SCSI was commonly used in the past for hard disk drives and tape drives, it's largely been replaced by more modern interfaces like SATA and SAS. However, the SCSI command protocol is still widely used in many storage devices and systems, including those offered by Western Digital, thanks to its robust functionality and versatility.
SD Card
Secure Digital Card. An SD card is a type of removable flash memory card used for storing information. SD cards are widely used in digital cameras, smartphones, and tablets due to their compact size and high storage capacity.
SDHC
SDHC, or Secure Digital High Capacity, is a type of SD card with a storage capacity range of 4GB to 32GB. SDHC cards from Western Digital provide reliable, portable storage for digital cameras, smartphones, and other devices.
SDXC
Secure Digital Extended Capacity. SDXC cards are a type of SD card that offers even greater storage capacity than SDHC cards, ranging from 64GB up to 2TB. These cards are perfect for professional photographers, videographers, and anyone else who needs to store large amounts of high-resolution media. Western Digital's SDXC cards offer high capacities and fast data transfer speeds, enabling you to capture and store more without compromising on speed.
Secure Erase (SE)
Secure Erase is a method used to permanently delete or wipe data from a storage device, making it unrecoverable. It's an effective way to ensure data privacy and security, particularly before repurposing or disposing of a device. Western Digital provides storage devices with Secure Erase features, allowing users to confidently and permanently remove sensitive data when needed.
Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR)
SMR, or Shingled Magnetic Recording, is a hard drive technology that allows for higher data density by overlapping magnetic tracks—similar to roof shingles—on the disk. SMR drives offer increased storage capacity, making them an excellent choice for archival and secondary storage needs.
SMB
Small and medium business
SOHO
Small office / home office
SSD
An SSD, or Solid State Drive, is a type of non-volatile storage device that utilizes flash memory to store data. Unlike traditional HDDs, SSDs have no moving parts, resulting in faster access times, lower power consumption, and increased durability. Perfect for users seeking performance and efficiency, SSDs are a key component of Western Digital's cutting-edge storage solutions.
T
TB
Terabyte
TCG-FIPS
TCG stands for Trusted Computing Group, an organization that develops and promotes open standards for hardware-enabled trusted computing and security technologies. FIPS stands for Federal Information Processing Standards, a set of standards for information technology and computer security. TCG-FIPS compliant devices, like some Western Digital drives, meet rigorous security and encryption standards, providing trusted storage solutions for sensitive data.
TCO
Total cost of ownership
Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt is a high-speed interface standard developed by Intel and Apple. It combines data, video, audio, and power in a single connection, allowing for fast data transfers and the ability to daisy-chain devices. Western Digital offers Thunderbolt-compatible drives for users seeking high-performance, versatile storage solutions.
Trusted Computing Group (TCG)
TCG stands for Trusted Computing Group, an organization that develops and promotes open standards for hardware-enabled trusted computing and security technologies.
TSA
A mechanical innovation to bring higher precision to the actuator to decrease time to read and write the media.
U
UHS-I
Ultra High Speed. UHS-I is a speed performance class for SD cards, designed to support real-time video recording and large, rapid-fire photo datasets. UHS-I cards have a bus interface speed of up to 104 MB/s.
UHS-II
Ultra High Speed 2. UHS-II is a performance class that offers faster data transfer rates than UHS-I, with a bus interface speed of up to 312 MB/s. Western Digital's UHS-II cards provide extremely fast data transfer rates, perfect for professional photographers and videographers who require high-speed data transfers for efficient workflow.
UltraSMR
UltraSMR (Ultra Shingled Magnetic Recording) is a hard drive technology developed by Western Digital. It's an advanced version of SMR that provides higher storage density and improved write performance, making it a great solution for large-scale data centers and storage-intensive applications.
USB Type C
USB Type-C, often just referred to as USB-C, is a type of USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector that's reversible and allows for the transmission of both data and power. Western Digital offers a range of USB-C compatible drives, providing versatile, high-speed data storage and transfer solutions.
Z
ZB
Zettabyte
ZNS
ZNS, or Zoned Namespace, is an NVMe technology that organizes data into independently managed zones, improving SSD endurance and write amplification. Western Digital's ZNS drives maximize SSD lifespan and provide efficient storage for data center applications.
Zoned Storage
Zoned Storage is a storage architecture that combines the advantages of solid-state drives and hard disk drives for cloud and enterprise data centers. It uses technologies like Zoned Namespaces (ZNS) for SSDs and Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR) for HDDs. Western Digital's Zoned Storage solutions offer efficient, scalable storage for next-generation data center applications.
A
Aerial Density
Areal Density refers to the amount of data that can be stored on a given amount of physical space on a disk drive. It is typically measured in gigabits per square inch (Gb/in²). Higher areal densities usually mean more data can be stored on a disk.
AFR
The Annualized Failure Rate (AFR) is the estimated probability of a hardware device failing during a year of operation. A lower AFR indicates a more reliable product.
AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science focused on creating machines and software that can learn, reason, perceive, and process natural language, similar to the human mind. AI requires vast amounts of data and fast processing power. Western Digital's high-capacity, high-performance storage solutions are designed to meet the demanding needs of AI applications.
B
Backup
A backup refers to the process of making a secondary copy of data that can be restored if the primary copy becomes lost or corrupted. Backing up data is a key component of any effective data management strategy. Western Digital provides a range of backup solutions, including external hard drives and network-attached storage devices, to help users protect their valuable data.
C
Cache
In computing, a cache is a high-speed data storage layer that stores a subset of data, typically transient in nature, so that future requests for that data can be served faster. In the context of hard drives and SSDs, a cache can greatly improve data access times. Western Digital's storage solutions feature robust cache systems, ensuring quick data access and smooth performance.
Capacity
Capacity refers to the total amount of data a storage device can hold. It's typically measured in bytes, with modern storage devices often having capacities in the terabytes (TB) or even petabytes (PB). Western Digital offers a wide range of storage solutions, from compact flash drives to high-capacity data center drives, to meet diverse storage capacity requirements.
Conventional Magnetic Recording (CMR)
Conventional Magnetic Recording (CMR), also known as Perpendicular Magnetic Recording (PMR), is a hard drive technology where data is written in parallel tracks on the disk. CMR drives offer consistent performance and are ideal for applications with heavy workloads.
D
Data Center
A data center is a facility that houses computer systems, servers, networking equipment, and data storage devices. These centers are critical for storing, processing, and managing vast amounts of data. Western Digital provides advanced data center storage solutions, enabling businesses to handle complex workloads and data-intensive applications efficiently.
Data Mirroring
Data mirroring is a method of data backup and protection where data is copied in real-time from one drive to another, creating an exact copy or 'mirror'. In the event of a hardware failure, data can be recovered from the mirrored drive. Western Digital's range of storage solutions supports data mirroring, providing additional data security for your peace of mind.
DRAM
DRAM is a type of volatile memory used by devices to store information that needs to be accessed quickly. It's often used in computers, servers, and other electronics. Some Western Digital drives use DRAM for caching to enhance performance.
Dual Actuator
A dual actuator in a hard drive uses two actuators to control the movement of the read/write heads, effectively doubling the speed at which data can be accessed. Western Digital's dual actuator drives offer high-speed performance, making them ideal for high-performance computing and data-intensive applications.
E
EAMR
Energy-Assisted Magnetic Recording (EAMR) is a technology that improves the areal density and reliability of hard drives. It uses energy, like heat or microwaves, to assist in writing data to the drive. Western Digital's EAMR drives offer improved performance and reliability, making them ideal for high-capacity storage needs.
Encryption
Encryption is a method of protecting data by converting it into a code to prevent unauthorized access. Western Digital provides storage solutions with built-in encryption features, safeguarding your data by making it unreadable to anyone who doesn't have the decryption key.
Endurance
In the context of storage devices, endurance refers to the amount of data that can be written to a device before it becomes unreliable. Endurance is especially important for SSDs, which have a finite number of write cycles.
ePMR
ePMR, or Energy-enhanced Perpendicular Magnetic Recording, is a type of EAMR technology. It uses energy to enhance the traditional PMR method of data recording, improving areal density and data reliability. Western Digital's ePMR drives combine the proven reliability of PMR technology with the advantages of energy assistance, offering high-capacity, high-reliability storage solutions.
EPO
Emergency Power Off, or EPO, is a safety measure that allows for the immediate shutdown of a system in case of an emergency. Western Digital's data center solutions support EPO functionality, providing an additional layer of safety for your data center operations.
F
Flash Memory
Flash memory is a type of non-volatile storage that can be electronically erased and reprogrammed. It's a technology commonly found in SSDs, memory cards, and USB flash drives. Western Digital's innovative application of flash memory technology ensures rapid data access and robust performance across our product line.
FPGA
Field-Programmable Gate Array. An FPGA is a semiconductor device that can be programmed after manufacturing to carry out a variety of tasks. They're used in a variety of applications, including data processing and storage systems.
H
HDD
A Hard Disk Drive (HDD) is a data storage device commonly used in computers and servers. It stores digital information on a rotating platter with a moving read/write head. Known for their cost-effectiveness and high-capacity storage, HDDs have been a staple in the digital storage landscape. Explore Western Digital's range of HDDs to meet your diverse storage needs.
Heatsink
A heatsink is a device that absorbs and dissipates heat from electronic components, like processors and high-performance storage devices, to prevent overheating. Western Digital's high-performance drives often include heatsinks, ensuring optimal performance and longevity by keeping drive temperatures in check.
HelioSeal
Hermetically sealed helium inside HDD drives enables more disks, as well as quieter operation and low power usage.
Hybrid Cloud
Hybrid cloud is a computing environment that combines a mix of on-premises, private cloud, and public cloud services with orchestration between the platforms. This model allows data and applications to be shared between them, and provides businesses with greater flexibility, more deployment options, and helps optimize existing infrastructure, security, and compliance.
I
IIoT
Industrial Internet of Things
iNAND
iNAND is a type of flash memory developed by Western Digital. It's designed for use in various devices such as smartphones, tablets, and embedded systems, providing reliable, high-speed storage in a compact form factor.
Instant Secure Erase (ISE)
Instant Secure Erase is a drive feature that allows for the rapid erasure of data, providing a fast method of securely sanitizing a drive by deleting the encryption key. Western Digital drives with this feature offer a quick and efficient way to securely erase sensitive data, making drive repurposing or disposal safe and easy.
IOPS
IOPS is a common performance measurement used to benchmark computer storage devices like hard disk drives (HDD), solid state drives (SSD), and storage area networks (SAN). Higher IOPS indicate faster data transfer rates. Western Digital's high-performance drives deliver high IOPS, ensuring rapid data access and processing for your applications.
IP54
IP54 is an international standard for ingress protection (IP) that signifies a device's resistance to dust and water. The first digit (5) indicates the level of protection against solid objects, while the second digit (4) denotes protection against liquids. Western Digital offers durable IP54-rated storage solutions for users seeking reliable storage in varying environmental conditions.
IsoVibe
Precise cuts in the baseboard provide a suspension for the drives in the chassis, isolating them from transmitted vibration.
J
JBOD
JBOD is a method of combining multiple hard drives into one logical unit without any RAID configuration. The drives operate independently, and their total capacity is the sum of each drive's capacity. Western Digital offers a variety of JBOD-ready drives, providing flexible storage solutions for various needs.Industrial Internet of Things
JBOF
JBOF, or Just a Bunch Of Flash, is a storage system that houses multiple flash storage devices such as SSDs. It's designed to maximize the advantages of flash memory, like high-speed data access, in a compact form factor. Western Digital's JBOF solutions provide high-capacity, high-speed storage for data-intensive applications and workloads.
M
M.2
M.2 is a form factor for storage devices, typically used for SSDs. M.2 SSDs are compact and versatile, suitable for a variety of applications, including laptops, desktops, and servers. They can use different interfaces like SATA or PCIe, with the latter offering faster data transfer speeds. Explore Western Digital's range of M.2 SSDs, designed for both performance and convenience.
microSD Card
A microSD card is a smaller variant of the SD card and is commonly used in devices where space is at a premium, such as smartphones and action cameras. Despite their small size, microSD cards can offer significant storage capacities. Western Digital's microSD cards combine compact size with large storage capacity and fast data transfer rates.
ML
Machine Learning
MTBF
MTBF is a reliability measure typically used in the electronics industry, including storage devices. It represents the average time between system failures and is typically measured in hours. A higher MTBF indicates a more reliable product.
N
NAND
NAND flash memory is a type of non-volatile storage technology that does not require power to retain data. It's used in a wide range of devices like SSDs, USB drives, and memory cards. Western Digital leverages NAND technology to deliver high-speed, reliable storage solutions across its product lineup.
NAS
NAS, or Network Attached Storage, is a dedicated device connected to a network that provides data storage and retrieval to authorized network clients. Ideal for small businesses and home networks, Western Digital's NAS solutions offer centralized, reliable, and accessible storage for your networked devices.
Network Latency
Also called lag, is used to describe delays in communication over a network.
NVMe
NVMe, or Non-Volatile Memory Express, is a protocol designed specifically for accessing high-speed storage media like SSDs over a computer's PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) bus. NVMe enables faster data transfer rates compared to older protocols. Experience the speed of Western Digital's NVMe SSDs, designed for high-performance computing.
NVMe-oF
NVMe over Fabrics allows NVMe-based storage to be shared between hosts at comparable performance to locally-attached SSDs.
NVR
Network Video Recorder. Gateway appliance for surveillance system.
O
OptiNAND
The latest in HDD technology, OptiNAND adds a flash layer to offload expanded metadata, reducing DRAM need.
P
PB
Petabyte
PCIe
PCIe, or Peripheral Component Interconnect Express, is a high-speed interface standard used for connecting hardware devices, like SSDs, to a computer. It offers faster data transfer rates compared to older standards like SATA. Western Digital's PCIe SSDs deliver lightning-fast performance to enhance your computing experience.
Private Cloud
Private cloud refers to a model of cloud computing where IT services are provisioned over private IT infrastructure for the dedicated use of a single organization. This model offers greater control and privacy, and is often used by organizations that have stringent data security and regulatory compliance requirements.
Public Cloud
Public cloud refers to the standard model of cloud computing in which a service provider makes resources, such as applications and storage, available to the general public over the internet. These services may be free or offered on a pay-per-usage model. Public clouds offer scalability and cost-effectiveness, as they eliminate the need to purchase and maintain on-premises hardware.
R
RAID
RAID, or Redundant Array of Independent Disks, is a method of storing the same data across multiple hard drives to protect against data loss and improve performance. Western Digital offers a variety of RAID-ready storage solutions to help secure your critical information while optimizing performance.
RISC-V
RISC-V (pronounced "risk-five") is an open standard instruction set architecture (ISA) based on established reduced instruction set computer (RISC) principles. It provides a new level of free, extensible software and hardware freedom on architecture, paving the way for the next 50 years of computing design and innovation. Western Digital is a strong proponent of RISC-V, integrating it into various products to drive innovation.
S
SAS
SAS, or Serial Attached SCSI, is a high-speed interface standard used for connecting storage devices to a computer. It is typically used in enterprise environments due to its high performance, reliability, and data integrity features. Western Digital's SAS drives deliver robust performance and reliability for businesses with demanding storage needs.
SATA
SATA, or Serial ATA, is a standard interface for connecting storage devices like HDDs and SSDs to a computer's motherboard. Known for its cost-effectiveness and compatibility, SATA is widely used in consumer and enterprise storage solutions. Western Digital offers a wide range of SATA HDDs and SSDs, providing reliable storage with excellent value.
SCSI
SCSI, pronounced "scuzzy," stands for Small Computer System Interface. It is a standard for connecting and transferring data between computers and peripheral devices. While SCSI was commonly used in the past for hard disk drives and tape drives, it's largely been replaced by more modern interfaces like SATA and SAS. However, the SCSI command protocol is still widely used in many storage devices and systems, including those offered by Western Digital, thanks to its robust functionality and versatility.
SD Card
Secure Digital Card. An SD card is a type of removable flash memory card used for storing information. SD cards are widely used in digital cameras, smartphones, and tablets due to their compact size and high storage capacity.
SDHC
SDHC, or Secure Digital High Capacity, is a type of SD card with a storage capacity range of 4GB to 32GB. SDHC cards from Western Digital provide reliable, portable storage for digital cameras, smartphones, and other devices.
SDXC
Secure Digital Extended Capacity. SDXC cards are a type of SD card that offers even greater storage capacity than SDHC cards, ranging from 64GB up to 2TB. These cards are perfect for professional photographers, videographers, and anyone else who needs to store large amounts of high-resolution media. Western Digital's SDXC cards offer high capacities and fast data transfer speeds, enabling you to capture and store more without compromising on speed.
Secure Erase (SE)
Secure Erase is a method used to permanently delete or wipe data from a storage device, making it unrecoverable. It's an effective way to ensure data privacy and security, particularly before repurposing or disposing of a device. Western Digital provides storage devices with Secure Erase features, allowing users to confidently and permanently remove sensitive data when needed.
Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR)
SMR, or Shingled Magnetic Recording, is a hard drive technology that allows for higher data density by overlapping magnetic tracks—similar to roof shingles—on the disk. SMR drives offer increased storage capacity, making them an excellent choice for archival and secondary storage needs.
SMB
Small and medium business
SOHO
Small office / home office
SSD
An SSD, or Solid State Drive, is a type of non-volatile storage device that utilizes flash memory to store data. Unlike traditional HDDs, SSDs have no moving parts, resulting in faster access times, lower power consumption, and increased durability. Perfect for users seeking performance and efficiency, SSDs are a key component of Western Digital's cutting-edge storage solutions.
T
TB
Terabyte
TCG-FIPS
TCG stands for Trusted Computing Group, an organization that develops and promotes open standards for hardware-enabled trusted computing and security technologies. FIPS stands for Federal Information Processing Standards, a set of standards for information technology and computer security. TCG-FIPS compliant devices, like some Western Digital drives, meet rigorous security and encryption standards, providing trusted storage solutions for sensitive data.
TCO
Total cost of ownership
Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt is a high-speed interface standard developed by Intel and Apple. It combines data, video, audio, and power in a single connection, allowing for fast data transfers and the ability to daisy-chain devices. Western Digital offers Thunderbolt-compatible drives for users seeking high-performance, versatile storage solutions.
Trusted Computing Group (TCG)
TCG stands for Trusted Computing Group, an organization that develops and promotes open standards for hardware-enabled trusted computing and security technologies.
TSA
A mechanical innovation to bring higher precision to the actuator to decrease time to read and write the media.
U
UHS-I
Ultra High Speed. UHS-I is a speed performance class for SD cards, designed to support real-time video recording and large, rapid-fire photo datasets. UHS-I cards have a bus interface speed of up to 104 MB/s.
UHS-II
Ultra High Speed 2. UHS-II is a performance class that offers faster data transfer rates than UHS-I, with a bus interface speed of up to 312 MB/s. Western Digital's UHS-II cards provide extremely fast data transfer rates, perfect for professional photographers and videographers who require high-speed data transfers for efficient workflow.
UltraSMR
UltraSMR (Ultra Shingled Magnetic Recording) is a hard drive technology developed by Western Digital. It's an advanced version of SMR that provides higher storage density and improved write performance, making it a great solution for large-scale data centers and storage-intensive applications.
USB Type C
USB Type-C, often just referred to as USB-C, is a type of USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector that's reversible and allows for the transmission of both data and power. Western Digital offers a range of USB-C compatible drives, providing versatile, high-speed data storage and transfer solutions.
Z
ZB
Zettabyte
ZNS
ZNS, or Zoned Namespace, is an NVMe technology that organizes data into independently managed zones, improving SSD endurance and write amplification. Western Digital's ZNS drives maximize SSD lifespan and provide efficient storage for data center applications.
Zoned Storage
Zoned Storage is a storage architecture that combines the advantages of solid-state drives and hard disk drives for cloud and enterprise data centers. It uses technologies like Zoned Namespaces (ZNS) for SSDs and Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR) for HDDs. Western Digital's Zoned Storage solutions offer efficient, scalable storage for next-generation data center applications.
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