glossary - vblock system foundations training.pdf

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Glossary:Vblock System Foundations Training

Application Software An application software (or program) is software that provides instructionsto a computer and its operating system with directions to perform specifictasks. Application software that you may be familiar with includes wordprocessors, spread sheet software, email client, computer games, etc.

Blade Server A blade server operates like other computer servers, but they are uniquein that they are inserted into a blade enclosure or chassis and do notrequire power cords and network cables. Power and networkconnections are made when the blade server is properly inserted into theblade enclosure or chassis.

Blade Server Chassis A blade server chassis is an enclosure that contain several blade servers.The chassis provides power and network connectivity to the serverwithout cables when the blade server is properly inserted into the chassis.

Business Applications Business applications are software that runs on a computer and its

operating system. They are used by people in business and othersettings to complete business related tasks. Some examples of businessapplications include email software, word processors, spread sheets, andcustomer data entry databases.

Central Processing Unit- CPU

The processor or central processing unit (CPU) is considered the “brain”of the computer. It contains electronic circuits that:

Interprets instructions to the computer

Performs the logical and arithmetic processing operations

Coordinates the activities of all other components of thecomputer

Directs the computer input and output operations

CIFS See Common Internet File System.

CIMC See Cisco Integrated Management Console - CIMC


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Cisco IntegratedManagement Console -CIMC

The Cisco Integrated Management Controller (CIMC) is the managementtool for the C-Series rack mount servers. CIMC runs within the server andusers can use a web-based graphical user interface (GUI) or command-

line interface (CLI) to access, configure, administer, and monitor C-Seriesrack mount servers.

Cisco Unified ComputingSystem (UCS) Manager

Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) Manager provides unified,embedded management of all software and hardware components in theCisco UCS. Serving as the central nervous system of the Cisco UnifiedComputing System, it provides management controlling rack servers,multiple blade chasses, and is capable of managing resources forthousands of virtual machines. Cisco UCS Manager manages CiscoUCS as a single entity through an intuitive GUI, or a command-lineinterface (CLI).

Common Internet File

System - CIFS

Common Interface File System (CIFS) is a network file system with a set

of auxiliary services supported by an underlying protocols. CIFS is mostcommonly known as representing the standard networking protocols usedin Microsoft applications and networks.

Compression Compression is a technique for reducing the size of files so they containfewer total bits than the original version of the file. Data is compressedby eliminating bits of data in files that represent duplicate patterns, or byidentifying and removing unnecessary information.

CPU See Central Processing Unit

DAE See Disk Array Enclosure.

Deduplication See File Deduplication.

Demilitarized Zone An area of concern for many organizations is external facing ITinfrastructure exposed to potentially unsafe networks, like the Internet.Here, companies are most vulnerable to intrusions from external threatsthat can disrupt operations or steal data.

Borrowing a concept and phrase from military strategy, some companiestoday create a DMZ or "demilitarized zone" between their internal ITinfrastructure and external threats. IT hardware and software deployed ina DMZ exposes only limited IT infrastructure and data to externalnetworks as needed to run its business. But it does not provide a means

to breach the DMZ and access the internal network.

Device Drivers Device drivers are software that enables the OS to recognize and controlthe specific hardware devices inside and outside the computer. Thingslike DVD drives, hard drives, printers, monitors, network cards, andscanners.


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Disk Array Enclosure -DAE

An enclosure that holds multiple storage drives in a disk array.

Disk-ProcessorEnclosure - DPE

An enclosure that houses both storage processors and storage drives.Vblock Systems that use a DPE will have only one, but not ALL VblockSystems have a DPE.

Distributed ResourcesScheduler (DRS)

Balances computing capacity by cluster to deliver optimized performancefor hosts and virtual machines. vSphere Distributed Resources Scheduler(DRS) is a feature included in the vSphere Enterprise and Enterprise Pluseditions. Using DRS, you can:

Improve service levels by guaranteeing appropriate resources tovirtual machines

Deploy new capacity to a cluster without service disruption

Automatically migrate virtual machines during maintenance

without service disruption Monitor and manage more infrastructure per system

administrator.

DMZ See Demilitarized Zone

DPE See Disk-Processor Enclosure.

DRS See Distributed Resources Scheduler (DRS).

EMC PowerPath Software that manages the network paths in which data travels betweena server and a storage array. In the event that a device on a path fails,this product can automatically reroute data through alternative network

paths.

EMC Secure RemoteSupport - ESRS

ESRS is a software-based, secure access point for remote supportactivities between EMC and your EMC information infrastructure. ESRSmonitors your EMC system around the clock and automatically notifiesEMC support Center in the event of a system problem. If an error isdetected, a secure connection is established for a remote supportsession.


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EMC UnifiedInfrastructure Manager(UIM)

EMC Unified Infrastructure Manager is used to automatically configure,provision, and monitor events in the Vblock System. In deployment, ittransforms raw Vblock Systems into information as a service (IaaS).

Some of the steps in this process that are managed by UIM include:

Discovering infrastructure and create address pools

Grading resource pools and profiles

Packaging pools and profiles into Service Offerings

Publishing Service Offerings in Service Catalog

Creating an Infrastructure Service from a Service Offering

It provides centralized management of Vblock System physicalresources, and supports a system-wide policy based configurationmanagement and compliance.

EMC Unisphere for VNXestorage

A web-based management environment that is a tool for creating storageresources, configuring and scheduling protection for stored data, and

managing and monitoring other storage operations on a VNXe storagecomponent. Management of VNXe storage systems is simplified,enabling completion of advanced tasks such as thin provisioning, filededuplication, and compression, without requiring in-depth understandingof these technologies.

EMC VNX ApplicationProtection Suite

VNX Application Protection Suite software automates copies of yourapplication data and improves recovery.

EMC VNX Fast Suite VNX FAST Suite software contains EMC Fully Automated Storage Tiering(FAST) and EMC Fully Automated Storage Tiering Cache (FAST Cache).FAST automatically moves active data to high-performance storage tiersand inactive data to low-cost, high-capacity storage tiers. The result ishigher performance and lower costs. FAST Cache is a storageperformance optimization feature that provides immediate access tofrequently accessed data. FAST Cache incorporates enterprise Flashdrives to extend storage processor cache capacity

Also see Fully Automated Storage Tiering (FAST) and Fully AutomatedStorage Tiering Cache (FAST Cache).

EMC VNX LocalProtection Suite

VNX Local Protection Suite software promotes data protection andrepurposing on VNX storage systems. The software enables customersto save production data and get applications up and running withinminutes after a shut down.

EMC VNX RemoteProtection Suite

VNX Remote Protection Suite software protects data against localizedfailures, outages, and disasters on VNX storage systems. This softwareprovides continuous replication so that when an outage effects onelocation, applications can be instantly restored remotely to a specific pointin time.


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Enterprise ResourcePlanning - ERP

Cross-functional enterprise system software used to produce data aboutbusiness processes for the purpose of managing the business. Amongother things, ERP systems track finances, sales, customer orders,

accounts payable, raw materials, and production process providing anintegrated real-time view of all core business functions.

ERP See Enterprise Resource Planning – ERP.

ESRS See EMC Secure Remote Support – ESRS.

Fabric Extenders A fabric extender is a component of a Cisco Blade Chassis whichprovides network connectivity to the blade servers inserted into thechassis.

Fabric Interconnects A fabric interconnect is a network switch that provides network

connectivity to blade or rack mounted servers.

FAST See Fully Automated Storage Tiering

FAST Cache See Fully Automated Storage Tiering Cache

File Deduplication File deduplication is a data compression technique that eliminatesduplicate copies of data or files. When multiple files have the same data,file deduplication stores just one copy of the data, and shares it betweenthe multiple users or applications. File deduplication improves storageutilization. By recognizing when the same data is being written to storagein two different places, it stores the data once, and provides a point to thelocation where the data can be found.

File Transfer Protocol -FTP

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a standard network protocol used totransfer data and files over a TCP-based network, such as the Internet. Itis sometimes used to transfer files between devices running differentoperating systems.

FTP See File Transfer Protocol.

Fully Automated StorageTiering - FAST

Recall that storage drive in an array can be tiered, meaning that there is acombination of fast expensive drives, and high capacity slower drives.Tiering is a strategy that puts frequently used data on fast drives, andseldom accessed data on slower drives. EMC Fully Automated Storage

Tiering (FAST) automatically moves active data to high-performancestorage tiers and inactive data to low-cost, high-capacity storage tiers.The result is higher performance and lower costs.


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Input/Output For the purposes of this training, I/O (or input/output) refers tocommunication into and out of a computer. An input can be informationentered from a keyboard, from a mouse click, and from data sent from

another computer or device. An output is a communication that comesout of a computer, such as information sent to the computer monitorscreen, a printer, or data updated and saved to a database like acustomer record.

Before a computer can complete a task or activity, it needs someinformation or data to use in the processing of that activity. This is theINPUT.

Once a computer is done completing a task, it has to do something withthe result of the process. Among other things, it can send the results tothe screen of computer monitor, to a printer, to a hard drive, or to adatabase to update a record. This is the OUTPUT.

Some devices, especially those used for communicating betweencomputers, like modems and network devices, can both send an INPUTto a computer and receive an OUTPUT from a computer.

Internet Protocol - IP The internet protocol (IP) was designed to allow computing devices topass data over virtually any distance by routing between multiple devicesif necessary. For this training it is not important to know many detailsabout the Internet Protocol, but it is useful to understand that eachmessage has additional information added to it such as information forthe sending device address, the destination device and the size of themessage so that the devices between the source and destination canreliably pass the message and when requested acknowledge receipt ofthe message.

Because the IP protocol is so often associated with the Ethernetstandard, Ethernet switches are sometimes referred to as IP switches,even though they are not truly synonymous.

IP See Internet Protocol.

LAN See Local Area Network.


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Latency Latency is the time delay from the moment a storage controller startsaccessing data on a storage drive until the point in time when it isavailable to be used. It also refers to the time it takes to save data on a

storage drive.

Local Area Network -LAN

A Local Area Network, or LAN, is a self-contained network of computersand other devices. It provides networking capabilities to devices that arelocated in close proximity like in an office building, a school, or a home. ALAN can be used for sharing resources like files, printers, or otherapplications using devices on the network.

Local Area Network(LAN) Switch

A network switch that provides connectivity between devices on a LAN orEthernet network. It ensures that a message sent from a device on thenetwork is transmitted to the intended device or devices on the network.

Logical Unit Number -

LUN

A LUN is a logical abstraction of a disk drive and is conceptually a set

consecutive blocks of storage. A LUN is not a physical storage drive. Itis a virtual storage drive that is abstracted from one or more physicalstorage drives. While it doesn’t exist physically, it has all of the samecharacteristics of a physical storage drive. Host computers don’trecognize the difference. A LUN presented to a host is viewed by thehost as a physical disk.

LUN See Logical Unit Number.

MAC Address See Media Access Control Address.

Media Access Control

Address – MAC Address

A Media Access Control address (MAC address) is a unique identifier

assigned to network interface device that exists on a LAN or Ethernetnetwork. The network interface device on the Vblock System servers isthe VIC. The MAC address serves as a unique network address for theinterface device that no other device can use. For example, a VIC on aserver will have a MAC address that is unique from any other addressthat exists for a network interface device in the world. On the LAN orEthernet network, the VIC is known and identified by its MAC addressand when another device on the network is trying to communicate withthe VIC, the communications is sent to the devices MAC address.

Memory See Random Access Memory - RAM

Microsoft Exchange Microsoft Exchange is a mail server that provides email, calendaring, and

contact management functionality sold by Microsoft Corporation. It is anapplication run on servers which allows users to access and shareemails, calendar events, and contacts.

NAS Protocols NAS Protocols define the language (syntax and semantics) ofstandardized communication tasks or operations performed over a NASnetwork.


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Network File System -NFS

Network File System (NFS) is a service that enables machines ofdifferent architectures running individual operating systems to shareresources across a network. NFS makes it possible for a computer to

share its local files and directories, and permits users on other computersto access those files and directories as though they were located on theirown computers.

NFS See Network File System.

Operating System An operating system (OS) is software that manages computer hardwareresources and provides common functionality that can be shared byapplications running on a computer. Traditionally, operating systemsfunction as a go between the computer hardware and applicationsrunning on the computer. The OS is responsible for controlling theenvironment and coordinates activities between the hardware andapplication software. Some sample operating systems include Linux and

Microsoft Windows.

Oracle Oracle Corporation is a multinational computer technology corporationspecializing in developing and marketing computer hardware systemsand enterprise software products including its own brands of databasemanagement systems.

Orchestration Orchestration, in IT, is used in the context of service orientedarchitecture, virtualization, provisioning, converged Infrastructure anddynamic datacenter topics. It focuses on aligning the business needs withthe applications, data, and infrastructure by defining the policies andservice levels through automated workflows, provisioning, and changemanagement. Orchestration can reduce the time and effort needed to

deploy instances of an application. It can also automate the provisioningof additional resources as application requirements change.

OS See operating system.

PowerPath See EMC PowerPath.

Processor or CPU See Central Processing Unit

Rack Mounted Server A rack mounted server is a computer server. It comes in a standard sizethat fits into a standard computer system rack. After it is installed in arack, power cables, network wires, and other connections can be

attached.

RAM See Random Access Memory - RAM


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Random Access Memory- RAM

The part of the computer where the active application and data is storedfor use by the CPU to perform necessary tasks and operations.

Consists of electronic components that store data includingnumbers, letters of the alphabet, graphics, sound, etc.

Provides temporary storage of active applications and data

Applications and data stored in random access memory (RAM) islost when the computer is turned off

Don’t confuse computer memory or RAM with storage whichdoes not lose applications or data saved on it when the computeris turned off

SAN See Storage Area Network.

SAP SAP is a multinational company that makes enterprise software used tomanage business operations such as manufacturing, finance, rawmaterials ordering, payroll, customer relationships, customer support, etc.

Enterprise software is usually highly complex and requires significantcompute, storage, and networking systems to run optimally.

SCSI See Small Computer System Interface.

Secure Remote Support- ESRS

See EMC Secure Remote Support – ESRS.

Small Computer SystemInterface - SCSI

The Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), pronounced “scuzzy”, is aperipheral connectivity standard that has been used to connectcomputers to scanners, tape drives, CD drives and disk drives amongother things. A SCSI protocol is involved in data transfer on block storage

devices in a Vblock, which you’ll learn more about in the Storage lesson.It is useful to be aware of the SCSI standards because although thestorage arrays in Vblock systems do not use the original SCSI standardfor physical connectivity, the SCSI communication protocols are usedwhen communicating with Fibre Channel, Internet Small ComputerSystem Interface (iSCSI) pronounced “eye scuzzy”, and Serial AttachedSCSI (SAS) devices.

As you progress through your training it will be helpful if you keep in mindthat a communication protocol such as SCSI can be used to transmit dataover a variety of physical media and that one communication protocol canbe embedded or “encapsulated” in another as in Fibre Channel overEthernet (FCoE) which we will discuss later on.

SPE See Storage Processor Enclosure.


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Storage The basic component of storage technology is the hard drive. It is usedto store digital information such as operating systems files, applicationfiles, and data. Unlike memory or RAM, storage devices retains data

even when the compute is powered off. Data is read in a random-accessmanner, meaning that individual blocks of data can be stored or retrievedin any order or sequence.

Storage Area network -SAN

A Storage Area Network, or SAN, is a dedicated network used so thathosts can access files on block level data storage.

Storage Area Network(SAN) Switch

A Storage Area Network (SAN) switch is a network switched designedspecifically for a SAN environment and is compatible with the FibreChannel (FC) protocol used in SAN networks. SAN switches managecommunications between servers or other computers and storagedevices.

Storage Drives Storage drives are used to store data and are found in computers orstorage arrays. Types of storage drives include hard drives and solidstate drives.

Storage ProcessorEnclosures - SPE

Enclosure that house storage processors. In Vblock Systems theycontain two storage processors, but not all Vblock Systems contain anSPE.

Storage Processors Storage processor are computers found in storage arrays. They providethe intelligence required to coordinate the storage and retrieval of data onstorage drives in storage arrays.

Tiered Storage Tiered storage is a strategy of matching the rate at which data isaccessed to a storage drive type. Tiered storage allows you to matchdrive speed and cost to data use. For example, if you need an array withone hundred drives you can buy and mixture of solid state flash drives,SAS drives, and NL-SAS drives. Flash drives are the fastest, NL-SASdrives are the slowest, and SAS drives are in between. In a tieredstorage configuration you would put the data you access most frequentlyon the fastest drives, the data you use the least on the slowest drives,and data used in between can be stored on the SAS or Fibre Channeldrives.

UCS Manager See Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) Manager.

Unified ComputingSystem (UCS) Manager

See Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) Manager.

Unified Network Switch In Vblock Systems, a unified network switch can be used in place aseparate IP switch and a SAN switch. This single switch can provide theability to connect to both an IP network and a SAN.


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VCE Vision IntelligentOperations

The VCE Vision Intelligent Operations software suite provides anintegrated set of software products for managing a convergedinfrastructure. It enables customers and third-party consumers to know

that the Vblock System exists, where it is located, and what componentsit contains. It reports on the health or operating status of the VblockSystem and reports on how compliant the Vblock System is with a VCERelease Certification Matrix. The VCE Vision suite effectively acts as amediation layer between your system and the management tools you usenow.

vCenter Server VMware vCenter Server is a central management point for thehypervisors and virtual machines running on Vblock Systems.

VDI See Virtual Desktop Infrastructure.

Virtual desktop

infrastructure (VDI)

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) is a method of separating a user’s

personal desktop, application software, and associated data from thephysical device that is used to access it. The same desktop environmentcan be accessed on multiple devices, in any location with network orinternet access. These desktop environments typically reside on serversin a datacenter, not on the users devices.

Virtual DesktopInfrastructure (VDI):

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) is a service where users' desktops donot reside on their device (PC, laptop, tablet or smart phone) but insteadreside on remote servers accessed over a network. VDI provides desktopand applications like those traditionally found on PCs and laptops. Thedifference is that desktop and applications operate remotely from a hostserver in a data center and can be accessed and used over a networkusing multiple devices. For users, they can access their familiar desktop,

applications, and data from a preferred device. For organizations, costsare cut and security is increased because all desktops, applications, anddata are centrally managed.

Virtual Machine

VM

A virtual machine or VM operates like a physical computer but it onlyexists as software. Through virtualization technology, the components ofa physical computer are used to make one or more virtual machines thatcan each run its own operating system and applications.

Virtual Machine FileSystem - VMFS

A file system is used to control how information is stored and retrieved.VMware VMFS (Virtual Machine File System) was developed and is usedto store and retrieve the files needed to run each virtual machine. Thefiles needed to run a specific virtual machine are sometimes called diskimages. Conventional file systems allow only one server to have read-write access to a file system. With VMFS, multiple servers can read/writethe same file system simultaneously.

Virtual Network Switch A virtual network switch serves as a network switch on a virtual network.It is software, not hardware like other network switches found in a VblockSystem. It provides connectivity from virtual machines on a virtualnetwork, to a physical network.


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VM See virtual machine.

VMFS See Virtual Machine File System.

VMware Storage vMotion VMware Storage vMotion is a management tool that enables livemigration of the storage disks attached to a virtual machine. Without anyservice disruption, these disk files can be moved to a new location withina storage array, or to a different arrays. Non-disruptive virtual machinedisk file migration to different classes of storage enables cost-effectivemanagement of virtual machine disks as part of a tiered storage strategy.

Learn more at: http://www.vmware.com/products/vsphere/features-storage-vmotion#sthash.4rhV49HL.dpuf

VMware Update Manager vSphere Update Manager automates patch management and eliminatesmanual tracking and patching of vSphere hosts and virtual machines. Itcompares the state of vSphere hosts with baselines, then updates andpatches to enforce compliance.

VMware vMotion VMware vMotion is management tool used to move virtual machines fromone ESXi host to another. Live migration allows administrators to movean entire running virtual machine from one physical server to another,without downtime. The virtual machine retains its network identity andconnections, ensuring a seamless migration process.

Learn more at: http://www.vmware.com/products/vsphere/features-vmotion#sthash.7CiNQCCr.dpuf

VNX ApplicationProtection Suite See EMC VNX Application Protection Suite

VNX Local ProtectionSuite

See EMC VNX Local Protection Suite.

VNX Remote ProtectionSuite

See EMC VNX Remote Protection Suite.

VNX Security andCompliance Suite

VNX Security and Compliance Suite software provides complementarytools that help secure the modern data center. This suite of softwarehelps you keep data safe from changes, deletions, and malicious activity.

vSphere Enterprise Plus VMware vSphere Enterprise Plus includes the full range of vSpherefeatures for transforming datacenters into dramatically simplified cloudcomputing environments providing the next generation of flexible, reliableIT services.

vSphere ESXi VMware’s hypervisor software that is used to create and manage thevirtual machines.


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World Wide Name -WWN

A World Wide Name (WWN) is a unique identifier assigned to devices ona Storage Area Network (SAN). A WWN is a unique identifier that is usedto identify a device (like network switch or a specific port on a switch) on

the network that is essential to know when communicating with thedevice.

WWN See World Wide Name.

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