Plain-language definitions of the cloud storage, backup, and data protection terms you’ll see across Backblaze.
At least three copies of data, stored on two different types of media, with one copy kept off-site.
Physical or logical separation between backup data and the systems or networks that could compromise it.
A defined set of instructions that allows applications and cloud services to communicate.
Data preserved for long-term retention, reference, or compliance after it is no longer actively used.
A secondary copy of active data created so that the original can be recovered after loss, corruption, or damage.
A storage architecture that divides data into individually addressed blocks and reassembles them when requested.
The proportion of requests served from a cache instead of being fetched from the origin store.
Temporarily storing copies of frequently requested content closer to the people or applications using it.
A geographically distributed network of servers that delivers internet content from locations closer to end users.
A service that automatically copies data to remote cloud infrastructure for recovery after data loss.
Temporary use of public-cloud resources when demand exceeds the capacity of a private environment.
Remote infrastructure that stores data on provider-managed servers accessible through a network.
A service that keeps selected files and folders consistent across multiple devices or users.
Data transferred out of a cloud storage service to another system, service, or user.
Data transferred into a cloud storage service.
A CDN server located near end users at the outer edge of a network.
A storage architecture that organizes data into files, folders, directories, and subdirectories.
A storage strategy that combines private-cloud or on-premises infrastructure with public-cloud services.
Data that cannot be altered or deleted for a defined period.
A physical location where internet service providers and networks exchange traffic.
The delay between sending a request and receiving data or a response.
A strategy that uses two or more public-cloud providers.
A cloud storage feature that prevents an object from being modified or deleted until a specified date.
A storage architecture that manages data as independent objects containing data, metadata, and a unique identifier.
The primary location where the authoritative version of content is stored.
Cloud infrastructure dedicated to a single organization or tenant.
Provider-managed cloud infrastructure shared among multiple unrelated customers or tenants.
Maintaining additional copies or resources so data and services remain available after a failure.
Returning backed-up data or a system to a previous usable state.
A highly distinctive identifier used to address an individual object without relying on a file path.
A record of earlier states of a file or object retained for later recovery.
A storage model in which data can be written once and read repeatedly but cannot be changed or deleted during its retention period.