Techsplainers by IBM

This episode of Techsplainers explores immutable backups and why they are a core part of modern data protection. It explains how immutable backups create read-only copies of data that cannot be altered or deleted during a defined retention period, helping organizations defend against ransomware, accidental deletion, corruption and insider threats. The episode walks through the difference between t...

This episode of Techsplainers explores immutable snapshots and why they are becoming an important part of modern infrastructure and cyber resilience strategies. It explains immutable snapshots as read-only, point-in-time copies of data that cannot be changed during their retention period, making them useful against malware, insider threats and accidental deletion. The episode walks through how imm...

This episode of Techsplainers explores unified storage and how it brings file, block and object storage together under a single platform. It walks listeners through the core idea behind unified storage, then explains how each storage type works, where each one fits best and why most enterprise environments need more than one approach at the same time. The episode follows the operational challenges...

This episode of Techsplainers explores network attached storage, or NAS, and explains why this long-standing storage approach still matters in modern infrastructure strategies. It walks through how NAS provides centralized file storage over a local network, making it easier for teams to share files, manage backups and maintain control over data. The episode follows NAS from the basics to the bigge...

This episode of Techsplainers explores what data storage is and why it remains a foundational part of modern computing. It explains how storage differs from memory, how computers retain data over time, and why the growth of AI and IoT systems is increasing pressure on storage systems to scale efficiently. The episode walks through the main types of data storage: file, block and object storage, sho...

This episode of Techsplainers explores NVMe, or Non-Volatile Memory Express, the protocol designed to help systems get more performance out of modern non-volatile storage like flash memory and SSDs. As the final episode in this data storage series, it connects the dots between storage media, system architecture and real-world performance. The episode explains why older storage protocols were built...

This episode of Techsplainers explores NAND flash memory, the non-volatile memory technology that underpins many modern storage devices, from USB drives and smartphones to enterprise solid-state drives. As the storage series moves deeper into the hardware layer, the episode explains how NAND flash fits into the broader story of performance, density and storage design. The discussion breaks down ho...

This episode of Techsplainers explores hybrid cloud storage, the approach organizations use to manage data across both on-premises infrastructure and cloud environments. It explains why many businesses no longer treat storage as a single-location decision and instead use hybrid models to balance performance, cost, compliance and scalability. The episode walks through how hybrid cloud storage works...

This episode of Techsplainers explores immutable storage, the storage approach that protects data by preventing it from being changed or deleted for a defined period of time, or in some cases permanently. Positioned within a broader data storage series, the episode explains how immutable storage differs from standard backup storage and why that distinction matters when organizations face ransomwar...

This episode of Techsplainers explores AI storage and shows how storage infrastructure changes when it is designed around modern AI workloads. Building on earlier discussions of data storage, storage architectures, flash, intelligent storage and edge storage, the episode shifts the focus to the demands created by model training, inference and large-scale data pipelines. The episode explains why AI...

This episode of Techsplainers explores edge storage and why storing data closer to where it is created has become increasingly important in modern IT environments. As part of a larger data storage series, the episode explains how edge storage works in locations such as factories, retail stores, hospitals, vehicles and telecom networks, where fast response times and local data access matter. The di...

This episode of Techsplainers explores intelligent storage and how modern storage systems are evolving beyond passive data repositories. Building on a broader look at modern storage, this episode explains how intelligent storage uses analytics, automation and AI-driven insights to help organizations manage performance, capacity and resilience more effectively. The episode follows the logical flow...

This episode of Techsplainers explores flash storage, a foundational technology behind many of today’s fast, responsive digital systems. The episode explains what flash storage is, how it differs from traditional hard disk drives, and why its solid-state design helps reduce latency and improve application performance. It walks through the basics of non-volatile memory, SSDs, and enterprise flash s...

This episode of Techsplainers explores the differences between object storage, file storage and block storage, helping listeners understand how each model organizes, stores and retrieves data. The episode explains how file storage uses familiar folders and files, why block storage is often chosen for databases and performance-sensitive workloads, and how object storage supports massive volumes of...

This episode of Techsplainers introduces data storage and explains why it is one of the foundational parts of modern computing. The episode explores how storage records, organizes and protects digital information so it can be retrieved and used later, whether that data lives on a personal device, in a data center or across cloud environments. It follows storage from everyday use cases like apps, p...

This episode of Techsplainers explores infrastructure automation as the broader goal behind infrastructure as code practices. It explains how automation allows organizations to provision, configure and manage infrastructure through repeatable, code-driven workflows instead of manual processes, making it possible to operate complex hybrid and multicloud environments with greater speed and reliabili...

This episode of Techsplainers explores how Terraform is used to implement infrastructure as code, focusing on the practical mechanics that turn infrastructure from a manual process into a repeatable engineering discipline. It explains how Terraform’s declarative model lets teams define the end state of infrastructure in human-readable files, then automatically plan and apply changes based on depen...

This episode of Techsplainers explores provisioning through the lens of infrastructure as code, explaining why it is such a foundational part of modern IT operations. It breaks down provisioning as the process of setting up infrastructure and making resources available for systems and users, from servers and networks to applications, cloud services and devices. The episode also clarifies a common...

This episode of Techsplainers explores infrastructure as code, the DevOps practice of automating infrastructure provisioning and management through configuration files rather than manual processes. It explains how IaC treats infrastructure like software, allowing teams to write, version, test and deploy infrastructure with the same rigor they apply to application code. The episode walks through th...

This episode of Techsplainers introduces IT infrastructure as the foundation of modern digital business. It explains how hardware, software and networking work together to support the systems organizations depend on every day, from servers and storage to operating systems, business applications and employee devices. The episode walks through the difference between traditional on-premises infrastru...

This episode of Techsplainers explores streaming analytics, the real-time analytics layer that helps organizations continuously ingest, process and analyze streaming data as it is generated. The episode explains how streaming analytics differs from traditional batch-based approaches by delivering insights with minimal latency, enabling businesses to act on events while they are still unfolding. Li...

This episode of Techsplainers explores event-driven architecture, a software design approach built around detecting, publishing and responding to events as they happen. The episode explains how EDA differs from more traditional architectures by focusing on real-time data in motion instead of static data stored for later analysis. It walks through the core building blocks of an event-driven system—...

This episode of Techsplainers explores Apache Kafka, the open-source event-streaming platform that has become a cornerstone of modern real-time data systems. The episode explains how Kafka helps organizations publish, store, process and consume streams of events with high throughput, low latency and strong reliability. Listeners are introduced to the concept of event streaming through familiar exa...

This episode of Techsplainers explores data streaming platforms and how they help organizations continuously capture, process, analyze and deliver data in real time or near-real time. The episode explains why these platforms have become essential as businesses shift from slower batch-based workflows to real-time decision-making powered by live data from applications, databases, sensors, logs and d...

This episode of Techsplainers explores real-time data streaming and why it has become essential for modern enterprises that need immediate insight from fast-moving information. The episode explains how real-time streaming differs from traditional batch processing by handling data as it arrives, often within milliseconds, rather than waiting for scheduled runs. Listeners are guided through the main...