Certified - CompTIA Cloud+

Welcome to the Bare Metal Cyber PrepCast for the CompTIA Cloud Plus exam. In this episode we are going to review important acronyms that appear on the certification. These acronyms represent core technologies, security concepts, and infrastructure elements that you will encounter both in cloud environments and on the test itself. The goal here is to make each one clear and approachable even if it sounds unfamiliar. I will walk you through what each acronym stands for and provide a simple explanation of how it fits into cloud computing. Let us begin.
CAS stands for Content Addressed Storage. This type of storage system identifies and retrieves data based on its content rather than its location. In the cloud this is useful for deduplication and for managing large amounts of unstructured data efficiently.
CIFS stands for Common Internet File System. This is a network protocol that allows file sharing between computers. In cloud environments CIFS is often supported to let Windows based systems connect to shared storage resources.
CPU stands for Central Processing Unit. The CPU is the main processor that carries out instructions for applications and operating systems. In cloud services virtual CPUs are allocated to virtual machines, allowing processing power to be divided and scaled as needed.
DBaaS stands for Database as a Service. This is a cloud model where the provider manages the database system while the customer uses it without worrying about maintenance. It allows organizations to quickly deploy databases without handling patching, scaling, or backups.
DBMS stands for Database Management System. This is the software that interacts with users, applications, and databases to manage data. In the cloud DBMS solutions can be offered as a service or run on virtual machines to provide flexible data storage and retrieval.
DFS stands for Distributed File System. A distributed file system allows files to be stored across multiple servers but accessed as if they were on a single system. Cloud providers use DFS to provide scalable and fault tolerant storage solutions.
FC stands for Fibre Channel. Fibre Channel is a high speed network technology designed for storage area networks. In the cloud Fibre Channel is used for connecting servers to shared storage with high reliability and low latency.
FCoE stands for Fibre Channel over Ethernet. This technology carries Fibre Channel traffic over Ethernet networks. It helps organizations converge their networking and storage infrastructure which can also apply to hybrid cloud data centers.
GPT stands for GUID Partition Table. This is a standard for disk partitioning that replaces the older master boot record system. GPT supports larger disk sizes and more partitions, making it important for large scale storage in the cloud.
GPU stands for Graphics Processing Unit. A GPU is specialized hardware designed to process graphics and parallel workloads. In cloud computing GPUs are widely used not only for graphics but also for artificial intelligence and machine learning tasks.
GRE stands for Generic Routing Encapsulation. This protocol allows one type of network traffic to be carried inside another. Cloud environments use GRE to create tunnels across networks, making it possible to securely connect remote sites or extend private connections over the public internet.
HBA stands for Host Bus Adapter. This is the hardware that connects a computer or server to a storage network. In cloud and data center systems HBAs are used to connect servers to storage area networks for fast and reliable access to data.
HIDS stands for Host Based Intrusion Detection System. This is a security tool that monitors a server or host for suspicious activity. Even in cloud environments HIDS can be installed on virtual machines to detect intrusions or policy violations.
HIPS stands for Host Based Intrusion Prevention System. Similar to HIDS, a HIPS not only detects but also blocks malicious actions on a host. In cloud environments HIPS adds an extra layer of protection for servers running critical workloads.
IaaS stands for Infrastructure as a Service. This is a cloud model where the provider offers compute, storage, and networking resources while the customer manages operating systems and applications. It is the foundation layer for many cloud deployments.
IOPS stands for Input Output Operations Per Second. This measures how many read and write operations a storage system can perform in one second. In cloud computing IOPS is a key performance metric when choosing or configuring storage.
iSCSI stands for Internet Small Computer System Interface. This protocol allows storage to be accessed over TCP IP networks. Cloud providers often use iSCSI for connecting servers to storage in a flexible and cost effective way.
JBOD stands for Just a Bunch of Disks. This refers to a collection of hard drives that are not configured in a RAID array. In the cloud JBOD might be used for inexpensive bulk storage where redundancy is handled at a higher layer.
KVM stands for Kernel Virtual Machine. This is a virtualization technology built into Linux that allows physical hardware to run multiple virtual machines. Many cloud platforms use KVM as the hypervisor behind their virtual machines.
LUN stands for Logical Unit Number. A LUN is an identifier used to designate an individual block of storage within a larger storage system. In cloud storage systems LUNs help manage and assign portions of storage to specific servers or applications.
NAS stands for Network Attached Storage. This is a storage system connected to a network that allows multiple devices to access files. In cloud environments NAS can be offered as a service to provide shared file storage across virtual machines.
NVMe stands for Non Volatile Memory Express. This is a protocol designed for high speed access to solid state drives. In the cloud NVMe provides much faster storage performance compared to traditional spinning disks.
NVMe oF stands for Non Volatile Memory Express over Fabrics. This extends NVMe performance over a network fabric. Cloud providers use NVMe oF to deliver fast and scalable storage to multiple servers or virtual machines.
P2P stands for Physical to Physical. This refers to moving workloads directly between two physical servers. While less common in cloud environments, P2P migrations may still be used in hybrid deployments or when shifting between hardware platforms.
P2V stands for Physical to Virtual. This process converts a running physical server into a virtual machine. In cloud computing P2V is a key method for migrating legacy systems into virtualized or cloud environments.
RAID stands for Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks. This technology combines multiple physical drives into one logical unit to improve performance or provide redundancy. Cloud providers use RAID configurations under the hood to protect against disk failures and improve throughput.
ReFS stands for Resilient File System. This is a Microsoft file system designed for high resilience to data corruption. In cloud environments ReFS can be used for applications where data integrity and recovery are critical.
SAN stands for Storage Area Network. This is a dedicated high speed network that connects servers to shared storage. In cloud environments SANs are used to provide large scale, reliable, and centralized storage solutions.
SAS stands for Serial Attached SCSI. This is a point to point protocol that connects servers to storage devices. SAS is common in enterprise and cloud data centers where fast and reliable disk access is required.
SATA stands for Serial Advanced Technology Attachment. This is a common interface for connecting hard drives and solid state drives to servers. In cloud data centers SATA drives are often used for cost effective storage when very high performance is not required.
SCSI stands for Small Computer System Interface. This is a set of standards for connecting and transferring data between computers and storage devices. Although newer technologies like SAS and SATA are common today, SCSI concepts still influence storage used in the cloud.
SDS stands for Software Defined Storage. This approach manages storage through software rather than relying on specific hardware. In cloud environments SDS allows flexible scaling, automation, and better use of storage resources.
vCPU stands for Virtual Central Processing Unit. This represents a share of physical CPU resources assigned to a virtual machine. In cloud computing vCPUs determine how much processing power a workload receives.
VDI stands for Virtual Desktop Infrastructure. This is a setup where desktop environments run on centralized servers and are accessed remotely. Cloud providers offer VDI solutions to give users secure and flexible access to desktops from any device.
vGPU stands for Virtual Graphics Processing Unit. A vGPU lets multiple virtual machines share the resources of a physical GPU. This is important in the cloud for workloads such as 3D rendering, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
VHD stands for Virtual Hard Disk. This is a file format that represents a virtual disk drive. In the cloud VHD files are used to store operating systems, applications, and data for virtual machines.
VM stands for Virtual Machine. A virtual machine is software that emulates a physical computer, running its own operating system and applications. Cloud services rely heavily on VMs to provide scalable and isolated environments for customers.
VMFS stands for Virtual Machine File System. This is a high performance cluster file system from VMware used to store virtual machine files. In cloud environments using VMware, VMFS allows multiple servers to access the same storage simultaneously.
vRAM stands for Virtual RAM. This represents a portion of system memory assigned to a virtual machine. In cloud platforms vRAM is used to control how much memory each virtual machine can use.
vSAN stands for Virtual Storage Area Network. This is a software defined storage solution that pools local disks across servers to create a shared datastore. Cloud providers and enterprises use vSAN to simplify storage management and scale resources efficiently.
vSwitch stands for Virtual Switch. A virtual switch is a software based network switch that directs traffic between virtual machines and connects them to physical networks. In cloud environments vSwitches provide flexible and scalable networking without relying only on hardware.
VTL stands for Virtual Tape Library. This is a backup solution that emulates traditional tape storage using disks or other modern storage systems. In the cloud VTLs are used to integrate older backup processes with newer technologies while keeping compatibility.
ZFS stands for Z File System. This is an advanced file system that includes features such as snapshots, data integrity checking, and built in volume management. In cloud environments ZFS can be used to provide highly resilient and flexible storage services.