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Articles by Gavin James Wright
What is an ISV (independent software vendor)?
An ISV (independent software vendor) makes and sells software products that work with computer hardware, operating systems (OSes) or software platforms made by another company. An ISV's products are often sold and licensed separately from the underlying programs. They can be offered as perpetual licenses, limited-term licenses or even fully managed software as a service (SaaS).
Windows Server Failover Clustering (WSFC)
WSFC voting, quorum and witnesses Every cluster network must account for the possibility of individual nodes losing communication to the cluster but still being able to serve requests or access resources. If this were to happen, the service could become corrupt and serve bad responses or cause data stores to become out of sync. This is known as split-brain condition. WSFC uses a voting system with quorum to determine failover and to prevent a split-brain condition.
What is Linux distros (Linux distribution)?
A Linux distribution -- often shortened to Linux distro -- is a complete operating system based on Linux. It is packaged with other components and software to make it fully usable out of the box. Because Linux is very modular, different distros will focus on different target use cases. Linux distributions, which are based on the Linux kernel, are often easier for users to deploy than the open source version of Linux.
What is a flat file?
What is a flat file? A flat file is a collection of data stored in a two-dimensional database in which similar yet discrete strings of information are stored as records in a table. The columns of the table represent one dimension of the database, while each row is a separate record. It is called a flat database because there are only two dimensions, rows and columns, with no relationships to other data elements.
disaster recovery (DR) site
What is a disaster recovery (DR) site? A disaster recovery (DR) site is a facility an organization can use to recover and restore its technology infrastructure and operations when its primary data center becomes unavailable. The decision about what kind of DR site an organization needs and its location requires careful planning and a balance of costs against any risks. Disaster recovery sites should be a part of a business continuity plan.
What is counterintelligence?
By Gavin Wright Carolyn Crandall, Attivo Networks Published: Oct 31, 2025 Counterintelligence (CI) is the information gathered and actions taken to identify and protect against an adversary's knowledge collection activities or attempts to cause harm through sabotage or other actions. Cyber counterintelligence (CCI) is an emerging field that focuses on the active gathering of information about electronic threat actors, their methods and techniques, and responding to these threats.
What is Linux distros (Linux distribution)?
By Gavin Wright Published: Oct 31, 2025 A Linux distribution -- often shortened to Linux distro -- is a complete operating system based on Linux. It is packaged with other components and software to make it fully usable out of the box. Because Linux is very modular, different distros will focus on different target use cases. Linux distributions, which are based on the Linux kernel, are often easier for users to deploy than the open source version of Linux.
What is communication service provider (CSP)?
By Gavin Wright Published: Oct 09, 2025 Communication service provider (CSP) is a broad category of companies that deliver telecommunications, including broadcast and two-way communications services. Types of communication service providers Types of providers under the umbrella of CSP include wireless and landline telecommunications providers, as well as cable and satellite communications providers that own their infrastructure.
What is brain hacking?
By Gavin Wright Ivy Wigmore Published: Oct 09, 2025 Brain hacking, or neurohacking, is the application of techniques or technologies to affect an individual's mental state, cognitive processes or level of function. Such efforts can be intentionally applied by the individual as a tool for personal development or by another person in an attempt to induce a behavior in that individual. Brain hacking yourself Some uses of the term brain hacking tend to be positive in nature.
What is a registered health information technician (RHIT)?
By Gavin Wright Tayla Holman, Site Editor Published: Sep 08, 2025 A registered health information technician (RHIT) is a certified professional who creates and verifies electronic health records. An RHIT also analyzes patient data, with the goal of controlling healthcare costs and improving patient care. Although an RHIT is not involved directly with patient care, the job does involve frequent communication with doctors and other healthcare professionals to ensure efficiency and precision.
What is RHIA (Registered Health Information Administrator)?
A registered health information administrator (RHIA) is a certified professional who oversees the creation and use of electronic health records (EHRs). RHIAs work in healthcare and related settings, such as health IT vendors and insurance carriers. The acronym is pronounced by its letters: "R-H-I-A." Holding an RHIA certification can potentially advance one's career in health information management through greater responsibilities and higher salaries.
What is an ISV (independent software vendor)?
By Gavin Wright Spencer Smith, Site Editor Published: Aug 27, 2025 An ISV (independent software vendor) makes and sells software products that work with computer hardware, operating systems (OSes) or software platforms made by another company. An ISV's products are often sold and licensed separately from the underlying programs. They can be offered as perpetual licenses, limited-term licenses or even fully managed software as a service (SaaS).
What are functional requirements?
By Gavin Wright Published: Aug 12, 2025 Functional requirements are the desired operations of a program or system. They are the tasks a system must perform to meet the end goals. Functional requirements engineering The foundation of modern products, good functional requirements, helps to keep a project on schedule and budget.
What is imperative programming?
By Gavin Wright Published: Jul 31, 2025 Imperative programming is a software development paradigm where every step is implicitly coded to solve a problem. In imperative programming, every operation is coded and the code itself specifies how the problem is to be solved. Most traditional programing languages are imperative. Imperative programming requires an understanding of the functions necessary to solve a problem, rather than a reliance on models that are able to solve it.
What is good automated manufacturing practice (GAMP)?
By Gavin Wright Published: Jul 29, 2025 Good automated manufacturing practice (GAMP) is a set of guidelines for pharmaceutical manufacturers. GAMP aligns with the standards set by governmental certification agencies. GAMP is also a subcommittee of the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE). GAMP guidelines are used heavily by the pharmaceutical industry to ensure that drugs are manufactured with the required quality.
What are oversampling and undersampling?
By Gavin Wright Published: Jul 21, 2025 Oversampling and undersampling are techniques used in data analytics and statistics to modify unequal data classes to create balanced data sets. Oversampling and undersampling are also known as resampling. These data analysis techniques are often used to be more representative of real-world data. For example, data adjustments can be made in order to provide balanced training materials for AI and machine learning algorithms.
What is pattern recognition?
By Gavin Wright Ivy Wigmore Published: Jul 17, 2025 Pattern recognition is the ability to detect arrangements of characteristics in data that yields information about a given system or data set. Pattern recognition is a main ability of machine learning (ML), data analytics and AI. In a technological context, a pattern might be recurring sequences or aspects in data that can be used to make a prediction.
What is a property management system (PMS)?
By Gavin Wright Published: Jul 01, 2025 A property management system (PMS) is a software application that supports the operations of hospitality accommodations and commercial or residential rental properties. Though sometimes referred to as a hotel operating system or hotel OS, a PMS transcends that industry; manufacturers, hospitals and government agencies also use them.
What is prediction error?
By Gavin Wright Ivy Wigmore Published: Jun 24, 2025 A prediction error is the failure of a model of a system to accurately forecast outcomes. It is the difference between the predicted and measured value. The mean absolute error, mean squared error and mean squared predictive error are among several methods used to calculate accuracy of the predictive model.
What is Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)?
By Gavin Wright Sarah Lewis Published: Jun 24, 2025 The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) is a document containing standard terminology, best practices and process guidelines around project management as defined by the Project Management Institute (PMI). Currently in its seventh edition, published in 2021, the body of knowledge was created to evolve over time and is internationally recognized as an essential resource for project managers.
What is Short Message Service Center (SMSC)?| Definition from TechTarget
By Mary E. Shacklett, Transworld Data Gavin Wright Published: May 21, 2025 The short message service center (SMSC) is the portion of a mobile phone network that handles text message operations. It is responsible for receiving, storing, routing and forwarding SMS messages from mobile handsets. It is also called a short message service-service center (SMS-SC).
What is modeling and simulation (M&S)?
Modeling and simulation (M&S) involves creating a digital representation of a given system to gather data and help inform decisions or predictions about it. M&S is widely used in the social and physical sciences, engineering, manufacturing and product development, among many other areas. Benefits of modeling and simulation Creating models to simulate phenomena is extremely valuable.
What is Universal 2nd Factor (U2F)?
Universal 2nd Factor (U2F) is a physical device that can act as an account authentication method. It is usually a small USB, near-field communication or Bluetooth device. Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a method to protect accounts or information. Two-factor authentication requires the user to pass two different forms of authentication. Usually, it is something the user knows, e.g., a password, and something they have, e.g., a physical device.
What is an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and how does it work?
An arithmetic logic unit (ALU) is a part of a central processing unit (CPU) that carries out arithmetic and logic operations. The ALU takes the input operands and an instruction and outputs the result. In some processors, the ALU is divided into two units: an arithmetic unit (AU) and a logic unit (LU). Some processors contain more than one AU -- for example, one for fixed-point operations and another for floating-point operations.
What is YAGNI principle (You Aren't Gonna Need It)?
YAGNI principle ("you aren't gonna need it") is a practice in software development that states that features should only be added when required. As a part of the extreme programming (XP) philosophy, YAGNI trims away excess and inefficiency in development to increase the frequency of releases and deliver value faster. The principle helps developers avoid wasted effort on features that they assume will be needed at some point. The idea is that this assumption often ends up being incorrect.
What is shielded twisted pair and does it work?| Definition from TechTarget
Shielded twisted pair (STP) is a kind of cable made up of smaller wires where each small pair of wires is twisted together and has an outer coating to electrically shield it. STP is used for telephone and local area network (LAN) wiring. Shielded means it has an outer covering or shield that functions as a ground to ordinary twisted-pair wiring. Twisted pair is the ordinary copper wire that is used in many computer networks for low speed and short runs of wires.
What is a capacitor (capacitance)?
A capacitor is a passive electronic component that stores electrical charge. The amount of energy that a capacitor can store is called capacitance. Capacitance is measured in farads. Capacitors are used in almost every electronic circuit. Most capacitors are rated in microfarads, nanofarads or picofarads. Capacitors can store small amounts of electrical energy. In this way, they can be thought of as working like a rechargeable battery.
What is Microsoft Outlook?
Microsoft Outlook is an email, contacts and calendar program from Microsoft. The application also provides access to task management features. Outlook is the preferred email client for Microsoft Exchange Server. Several versions of Outlook exist, with varying features and capabilities. Outlook for Microsoft 365 is the premier tool offered as part of a paid Office or Microsoft 365 license.
What is Alphabet, Inc.?
Alphabet Incorporated (also known as Alphabet Inc. or simply Alphabet) is a conglomerate of numerous companies, including the search engine giant Google. In 2015, Alphabet became Google's holding company. As of 2025, Google, along with many other companies like Fitbit, Waymo and Mandiant, remains a wholly owned subsidiary of Alphabet. History of Alphabet Inc. Google Inc. co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page created Alphabet Inc. on Oct. 2, 2015.
What are port numbers and how do they work?
A port number is a way to identify a specific process to which an internet or other network message is to be forwarded when it arrives at a server. All network-connected devices have standardized ports with assigned numbers. These numbers are reserved for certain protocols and their associated functions. HTTP messages, for example, go to port 80 -- one of the most commonly used ports.
What is brain-computer interface (BCI)?
Brain-computer interface (BCI) is a device that translates signals in the brain to control some external activity. For example, they might control a cursor or a prosthetic limb. They might also be called a brain-machine interface. BCI is currently being researched and is targeted at people with disabilities as an adaptive technology. In BCI, signals in a brain are read directly, without the involvement of the muscular-skeletal system.
What is Internet Key Exchange (IKE) and How Does It Work?
Internet Key Exchange (IKE) is a standard protocol used to set up a secure and authenticated communication channel between two parties via a virtual private network (VPN). The protocol ensures security for VPN negotiation, remote host and network access. A critical role of IKE is negotiating security associations (SAs) for Internet Protocol Security (IPsec). SAs are the security policies for communication between two or more entities.
What is Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)?
What is Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)? Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) is a Windows server role that can plan, manage and deploy updates, service packs, patches and hotfixes for Windows servers, client operating systems (OSes) and other Microsoft software. It lets system administrators control when and how systems install updates and provides a central point for clients to get updates. It's designed for small and medium-sized business use.
What is a flat file?
What is a flat file? A flat file is a collection of data stored in a two-dimensional database in which similar yet discrete strings of information are stored as records in a table. The columns of the table represent one dimension of the database, while each row is a separate record. It is called a flat database because there are only two dimensions, rows and columns, with no relationships to other data elements.
What is Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3)?
What is Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3)? Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3) is a scalable, high-speed, web-based cloud storage service. The service is designed for online backup and archiving of data and applications on Amazon Web Services (AWS). Amazon S3 was designed with a minimal feature set and created to make web-scale computing easier for developers. What are Amazon S3 features?
What is Business Process Modeling Language (BPML)?
What is Business Process Modeling Language (BPML)? Business Process Modeling Language (BPML) is an XML standard metalanguage used to outline business processes in an easy-to-understand way. It could cover all parts of a business process such as transactions, exceptions, data flows, scheduled events, roles and security. It was superseded by the Business Process Execution Language (BPEL) and was eventually totally replaced by Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN).
What is Oracle? | Definition from TechTarget
Oracle is one of the largest vendors in the enterprise IT market and the shorthand name of its flagship product, a relational database management system (RDBMS) that's formally called Oracle Database. The database software sits at the center of many corporate IT environments, supporting a mix of transaction processing, business intelligence (BI) and business analytics (BA) applications. In 1979, Oracle Corp.
What is a microcomputer?
A microcomputer is a complete computer on a small scale, designed for use by one person at a time. An antiquated term, a microcomputer is now primarily called a personal computer (PC). Common microcomputers today include laptops and desktops. In modern usage, microcomputers are complete computer systems that are smaller than a normal PC, such as single-board computers (SBCs).
What is Salesforce Sales Cloud?
Salesforce Sales Cloud is a customer relationship management (CRM) platform designed to support sales, marketing and customer support in both business-to-business and business-to-consumer contexts. Sales Cloud is a fully customizable product that brings all customer information together in an integrated platform that incorporates marketing, lead generation, sales pipelines, customer service and business analytics.
What is a unique identifier (UID)?
A unique identifier (UID) is a numeric or alphanumeric string that is associated with a single entity within a given system. UIDs make it possible to select that entity so that it can be accessed, updated and interacted with. Unique identifiers can be assigned to anything that needs to be distinguished from other entities, such as individual users, companies, machines, database entries or websites.
What is Google Glass?
Google Glass was a wearable, voice and motion-controlled Android device that resembled a pair of eyeglasses and displayed information directly in the user's field of vision. It was discontinued in March 2023. Google Glass offered an augmented reality (AR) experience by using visual, audio and location-based inputs to provide relevant information. For example, upon entering an airport, a user could automatically receive flight status information.
What is Dell EMC?
Dell EMC is an American multinational technology company that offers products and services across all areas of computing, networking and storage. The company was formed when Dell Inc. acquired EMC Corporation in September 2016, along with EMC subsidiaries, including VMware, RSA Security and Pivotal. At the same time, Dell Technologies was founded to serve as a parent company. Dell EMC's target market is businesses of all sizes.
What is a headless server?
A headless server is a computer without a local interface to interact with. Headless means that it does not have a monitor or other peripherals such as a keyboard and mouse. The vast majority of servers today are headless. Most servers might never be connected to a monitor in their entire period of use. Many modern technologies make this possible. Preboot execution environment enables operating systems to be loaded automatically.
What is Open Database Connectivity (ODBC)?
What is Open Database Connectivity (ODBC)? Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) is an open standard application programming interface (API) that allows application programmers to easily access data stored in a database. The main proponent and supplier of ODBC programming support is Microsoft, but ODBC is based on and closely aligned with the Structured Query Language (SQL) Call Level Interface (CLI) standard from The Open Group.
What is SELinux (Security-Enhanced Linux)?
What is SELinux (Security-Enhanced Linux)? SELinux, or Security-Enhanced Linux, is a part of the Linux kernel that acts as a protective agent to the OS. In the Linux kernel, SELinux is a mandatory access controls (MAC) mechanism that restricts programs with rules and policies set by the system administrator. MAC is a higher level of access control than the standard discretionary access control (DAC) that was originally part of Linux.
What is SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES)?
What is SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES)? SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) is a Linux-based server operating system (OS) created and maintained by the German-based organization, SUSE. SLES is the SUSE Linux server operating system designed for mainframes and servers. It is mostly used with a support contract with SUSE. SUSE Linux Enterprise Server was initially released in 2000 and has undergone multiple upgrades since.
What is NBASE-T Ethernet?
By Gavin Wright Eamon McCarthy Earls, Former Associate Site Editor, TechTarget What is NBASE-T Ethernet? NBASE-T Ethernet is an IEEE standard and Ethernet-signaling technology that enables existing twisted-pair copper cabling to exceed the cable's specified limit of 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) for distances of up to 100 meters. The standard, 802.3bz, established two new speeds at 2.5 Gbps and 5 Gbps. NBASE-T Ethernet was approved as a standard in September 2016.
What is a Software-Defined Data Center (SDDC)?
What is a SDDC? A software-defined data center (SDDC) is a server management concept in which all infrastructure elements -- networking, storage and compute -- are virtualized and delivered as a service. Deployment, operation, provisioning and configuration are abstracted from hardware. Those tasks are implemented through software interfaces. Former VMware CTO Steve Herrod is widely credited with coining the term around 2012.
What is Nutanix?
By Gavin Wright Erin Sullivan, Senior Site Editor Sarah Wilson, Associate Site Editor What is Nutanix? Nutanix is a private and hybrid cloud software provider. It started as a hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) pioneer that now markets its technology as a building block for private clouds. The company was founded in 2009 by Dheeraj Pandey, Mohit Aron and Ajeet Singh, and it is based in San Jose, Calif.
What is PowerFlex (formally ScaleIO)?
What is PowerFlex (formally ScaleIO)? PowerFlex is a software-defined storage product from Dell EMC. It is available as software only or as a prebuilt Dell server or rack appliance. PowerFlex is designed for high-performance storage for enterprise data center, development, virtualization and physical server environments. It was previously known as ScaleIO and VxFlex. PowerFlex is a proprietary storage area network (SAN) offering.
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