I

I2O - Intelligent Input/Output : Designed to facilitate the introduction of new I/O devices while offloading most I/O processing to intelligent I/O processors. Provides superior I/O performance by limiting the main CPU’s need to process basic input/output service requests and provides a consistent I/O layer so only one device driver version is needed across multiple operating systems.

Image Backup : A backup option that takes a "snapshot" of an entire system by writing a volume image to tape sector-by-sector, rather than file-by-file. This method of backup is very fast and allows companies to backup critical information in a limited backup window.

Information Management : The entire process of defining, evaluating, protecting, and distributing data within an organization.

Infrastructure : The basic, fundamental architecture of a computer system. The infrastructure determines how the system functions and how flexible it is in meeting future demands.

Intelligent : A device is intelligent when it is controlled by one or more processors integral to the device.

Interface : A hardware or software protocol, contained in the electronics of the tape controller and tape drive, that manages the exchange of data between the drive and computer. The most common interfaces for small computer systems are AT (IDE) and SCSI.

Internal Drive : A drive mounted inside one of a computer's drive bays.

Internet : A worldwide network of computer servers originally developed by the federal government as a communication system in the event of nuclear war or other wide-scale disaster.

Intranet : A private version of the Internet that provides a cost-effective way to publish critical information and provide an interactive communication path for heterogeneous systems.

Interoperability : The ability of hardware and software made by a variety of different manufacturers to work seamlessly together.

ISA (Intelligent Storage Architecture) : EMC's Intelligent Storage Architecture consolidates information management functions including backup/restore, disaster recovery, migration, and information sharing into a single enterprise storage system. This provides a single consistent platform from which to manage, access, and share information.

ISV : Acronym for independent software vendor.

J

JBOD : Just a Bunch of Disks. This refers to a disk drive array configuration in which there is neither redundancy nor intelligent controller.

Jumper : A tiny connector box that slips over two pins that protrude from a circuit board. The jumper can be moved to change electrical connectors. When in place, the jumper connects the pins electrically. Some board manufacturers use dual in-line package (DIP) switches instead of jumpers.

K

Kilobyte (KB) : A unit of measure consisting of 1,024 bytes.

L

Lempel-Ziv Algorithm : A data compression technique used in all DLT tape drives. Named after Abraham Lempel and Jacob Ziv.

Library System : A system that uses a robotic mechanism to automatically load and unload tape cartridges into one or more tape drives. Distinguishable from stackers and autoloaders in their ability to provide random access to tape cartridges. The DLTstor is a tape library system offered by Quantum Corporation.

Linear Recording : Recording technology in which data is written in tracks that run the length of the tape media. Contrast with helical scan technology which records data diagonally across the tape.

Link : A connection between two Fibre Channel ports.

LTO : Linear Tape-Open. A half-inch open tape technology developed by IBM, Hewlett-Packard and Seagate. Consists of two different formats: Ultrium, a cartridge targeted at ultra-high capacity requirements; and Accelis, a dual-reel cartridge targeted for fast data access and automation applications.

LUN (Logical Unit Number) : An encoded 3-bit identifier used on an SCSI bus to distinguish among up to eight devices (logical units) with the same SCSI ID. An LUN is an indivisible unit presented by a storage device to its host. LUNs are assigned to each disk drive in an array so the host can address and access the data on those devices.

LUN Masking : An array security feature that lets a server access only its own and no other LUNs on a Fibre Channel. Each LUN can specify what host or combination of hosts has access to that LUN.