Storage, Interfaces, and RAID

Say the definition before you flip. Use the example and distinction to repair fuzzy terms, then take the separate vocabulary quiz.

Vocabulary lab

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Explain the term before you reveal the back. Then compare your explanation with the definition, example, and warning.

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HDD: A hard disk drive stores data magnetically on spinning platters. Example: A desktop uses a 3.5-inch HDD for large-capacity archive storage. Do not confuse it with: Do not confuse an HDD with an SSD; HDDs have moving parts.
SSD: A solid-state drive stores data in flash memory with no moving parts. Example: A laptop boots faster after replacing a hard drive with an SSD. Do not confuse it with: Do not confuse SSD with NVMe; SSD is the storage technology while NVMe is one possible interface/protocol.
SATA: Serial ATA is a storage interface commonly used by 2.5-inch SSDs, HDDs, and optical drives. Example: A SATA SSD connects to a motherboard SATA port and receives separate power. Do not confuse it with: Do not confuse SATA data with SATA power; they are separate connectors.
NVMe: Non-Volatile Memory Express is a storage protocol designed for high-speed solid-state storage over PCIe. Example: An M.2 NVMe drive communicates through PCIe lanes instead of a SATA controller. Do not confuse it with: Do not confuse NVMe with M.2; NVMe is the protocol and M.2 is a form factor.
SAS: Serial Attached SCSI is an enterprise-oriented storage interface designed for reliable, high-performance storage systems. Example: A server backplane uses SAS drives in a managed storage array. Do not confuse it with: Do not confuse SAS with consumer SATA even though some controllers can support both.
M.2: M.2 is a compact card form factor used by storage and other internal devices. Example: A 2280 M.2 SSD is secured flat against the motherboard with a small screw. Do not confuse it with: Do not confuse M.2 size with storage protocol; an M.2 device may use SATA or PCIe/NVMe.
RAID: RAID combines multiple drives for performance, redundancy, or both depending on the level. Example: A RAID 1 mirror keeps matching copies of data on two drives. Do not confuse it with: Do not confuse RAID with backup; RAID does not protect against deletion, malware, or every failure.
TRIM: TRIM lets an operating system tell an SSD which blocks are no longer in use so the drive can manage them efficiently. Example: After files are deleted, TRIM helps the SSD prepare unused blocks for future writes. Do not confuse it with: Do not confuse TRIM with defragmenting an HDD; SSD maintenance works differently.
SMART: Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology exposes drive health indicators that can help identify storage problems. Example: A technician checks SMART data after repeated read errors. Do not confuse it with: Do not confuse SMART with a guarantee that a drive will fail predictably; it is evidence, not certainty.
backup: A backup is a separate recoverable copy of data kept so information can be restored after loss or damage. Example: Important files are copied to protected storage that is not the only live copy. Do not confuse it with: Do not confuse backup with RAID; a redundant array is still part of the live system.

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