A glossary of storage networking, data, and information management terminology.
The SNIA Dictionary contains terms and definitions related to storage and other information technologies, and is the storage networking industry's most comprehensive attempt to date to arrive at a common body of terminology for the technologies it represents.
The terms go through a rigorous technical review and approval process by the SNIA Technical Council to assure their accuracy.
The SNIA Technical Council is a group of industry technical experts elected by the members of the SNIA to guide the SNIA’s technical efforts. Their extensive individual technical backgrounds cover all aspects of storage.
The reader should recognize that in this rapidly evolving field, new terminology is constantly being introduced, and common usage is shifting. The SNIA regards this dictionary as a living document, to be updated as necessary to reflect a consensus on common usage, and encourages readers to treat it in that spirit. Comments and suggestions for improvement are gratefully accepted at any time, with the understanding that any submitter of comments or suggestions contributes them to SNIA; and SNIA will therefore own the rights to them.
Comments and suggestions may be directed to dictionary@snia.org.
Proposals for new terms or definitions, or modifications to existing ones, should be submitted on the form located at SNIA website
Currently the dictionary is published online approximately every six months, with rollout at each Storage Networking World (SNW). Paper and CD/Flash media versions are published, with sponsorship opportunities, each spring, with rollout at the Spring SNW.
View the online searchable version!
Terms of Use
The SNIA hereby grants permission for individuals to use this glossary for personal use only, and for corporations and other business entities to use this glossary for internal use only (including internal copying, distribution, and display), provided that:
Any definition reproduced must be reproduced in its entirety with no alteration, and, any document, printed or electronic, in which material from this glossary (or any portion hereof) is reproduced must acknowledge the SNIA copyright on that material, and must credit the SNIA for granting permission for its reuse.
Other than as explicitly provided above, you may not make any commercial use of this glossary, sell any or all of this glossary, or distribute this glossary to third parties. All rights not explicitly granted above are expressly reserved to SNIA. In particular, the provisions above do not grant the rights to make any commercial use of this glossary, sell any or all of this dictionary, or distribute this dictionary to third parties.
Permission to use this glossary for purposes other than those enumerated above may be requested by e-mailing dictionary@snia.org; please include the identity of the requesting individual and/or company and a brief description of the purpose, nature, and scope of the requested use.
Copyright © 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. 2011. 2012. 2013. Storage Networking Industry Association, All Rights Reserved. Last updated May, 2013.