Engineering Glossary

From fundamental principles to cutting-edge practices, this glossary covers the full spectrum of software engineering terminology.

DevOps
Cloud Computing
Git
Containerization & Orchestration

YAML (Yet Another Markup Language)

Human-readable data serialization standard that can be used in conjunction with all programming languages.
DevOps

YAML Sprawl

Proliferation of YAML configuration files, often leading to maintenance and consistency challenges.
DevOps

Yak Shaving

Seemingly useless activity which, by allowing you to overcome intermediate difficulties, allows you to solve a larger problem.
DevOps

Yarn

Fast, reliable, and secure dependency management tool for Node.js, offering improved performance and additional features over NPM.
DevOps

Yocto

Open-source collaboration project that helps developers create custom Linux-based systems.
DevOps

Yoda Conditions

Programming style where the constant goes before the variable in a conditional statement.
DevOps

You Build it You Run it

DevOps principle where development teams are also responsible for supporting the software in production.
DevOps

Zabbix

Open-source software tool to monitor various IT components, including networks, servers, virtual machines, and cloud services.
DevOps

Zero Downtime Deployment

Deployment method that ensures the application remains available to users during the entire update process.
DevOps

Zero Nines

A measure of system availability where no uptime guarantee is provided. It indicates a service with no specified reliability commitments or expectations.
DevOps

Zero Trust

Security concept centered on the belief that organizations should not automatically trust anything inside or outside its perimeters.
DevOps

Zero-day Attack

Cyber attack exploiting a vulnerability that is unknown to the software vendor or to antivirus vendors.
DevOps

Zipkin

Distributed tracing system that helps gather timing data needed to troubleshoot latency problems in service architectures.
DevOps

Zookeeper

Centralized service for maintaining configuration information, naming, providing distributed synchronization, and providing group services.
DevOps

Zsh (Z Shell)

Extended version of the Bourne Shell with many improvements, including some features of Bash, ksh, and tcsh.
DevOps

iOS Deployment

Process of distributing iOS applications to Apple devices, often through the App Store or enterprise distribution methods.
DevOps

macOS

Apple's Unix-based operating system for Macintosh computers, known for its user-friendly interface and tight integration with Apple hardware.
DevOps
@mention

@mention

A feature in Git platforms that allows users to notify specific team members or reference issues by using the @ symbol followed by a username.
API preview

API preview

A feature allowing developers to test and provide feedback on new Git API functionality before it's officially released.
Bare Repository

Bare Repository

A Git repository containing version control information without a working directory, typically used as a central repository for collaboration.
Bisect

Bisect

A Git command used to perform a binary search through a repository's history to identify the commit that introduced a bug or issue.
Bitbucket Pipelines

Bitbucket Pipelines

An integrated CI/CD service in Bitbucket for automating builds, tests, and deployments.
Blame

Blame

A Git feature that shows which user last modified each line of a file, helping developers trace changes and understand code history.
Blamestorming

Blamestorming

A collaborative process of analyzing Git blame information to identify the source of bugs or issues in a codebase.
Branch

Branch

A parallel version of a repository, allowing developers to work on different features or experiments without affecting the main codebase.
Branch policies

Branch policies

Rules enforced on Git branches to ensure code quality, require reviews, or restrict certain actions before merging.
Business plan

Business plan

A premium subscription tier offered by Git hosting services, providing advanced features and support for enterprise users.
CA certificate

CA certificate

A digital certificate issued by a Certificate Authority, used in Git to establish secure HTTPS connections and verify server identities.
Cache

Cache

A temporary storage area that holds frequently accessed data for quick retrieval, improving system performance.
Checkout

Checkout

A Git command used to switch between different branches or restore files from a specific commit in a repository's history.
Cherry-Pick

Cherry-Pick

A Git operation that applies the changes from a specific commit to the current branch, useful for selective code integration.
Cherry-picking

Cherry-picking

The practice of selecting and applying specific commits from one branch to another in Git, often used for targeted bug fixes.
Clone

Clone

The process of creating a local copy of a remote Git repository, allowing developers to work on the codebase independently.
Code owners file

Code owners file

A file specifying individuals or teams responsible for code in different parts of a repository.
Commit

Commit

Operation in version control systems that saves changes to the local repository, creating a new revision with a unique identifier.
Conflict

Conflict

A situation in Git where incompatible changes have been made to the same part of a file, requiring manual resolution before merging.
Continuous Integration

Continuous Integration

Practice of merging all developer working copies to a shared mainline several times a day.
DAG (Directed Acyclic Graph)

DAG (Directed Acyclic Graph)

Directed Acyclic Graph, the underlying data structure used by Git to represent the commit history and relationships between commits.
Detach HEAD

Detach HEAD

A Git operation that moves the HEAD pointer to a specific commit, allowing for temporary exploration of historical states.
Diff

Diff

A Git command or operation that shows the differences between two commits, branches, files, or other Git objects.
Downstream

Downstream

Refers to the direction of change propagation in Git, typically from a parent branch to its child branches or forks.
Explorer

Explorer

A feature in Git platforms for browsing repository contents, viewing files, and navigating through different branches.
Feature branch workflow

Feature branch workflow

A Git pattern where each new feature is developed in a dedicated branch, then merged back to the main branch.
Fetch

Fetch

A Git command that retrieves changes from a remote repository without automatically merging them into the local branch.
Force Push

Force Push

A Git push operation that overwrites the remote branch's history with the local branch, potentially causing data loss if used carelessly.
Fork

Fork

A personal copy of another user's repository on a Git hosting platform, allowing independent development without affecting the original project.
Free plan

Free plan

A no-cost tier offered by Git hosting services, typically with limited features and storage for individual users or small projects.
GPG (GNU Privacy Guard)

GPG (GNU Privacy Guard)

An encryption software used with Git for signing commits and tags, enhancing security and verification.
Gist

Gist

A simple way to share code snippets, notes, or small files using Git, often integrated into Git platforms.
Git

Git

Distributed version control system for tracking changes in source code during software development.
Git Alias

Git Alias

A custom shortcut command defined by users to simplify complex or frequently used Git operations.
Git Alternates

Git Alternates

A mechanism in Git allowing a repository to borrow objects from another repository, useful for saving disk space in large projects.
Git Annotate

Git Annotate

A Git command that shows the author and commit information for each line in a file, similar to the "blame" feature.
Git Assume Unchanged

Git Assume Unchanged

A Git feature that tells the system to temporarily ignore changes to a tracked file, useful for local configuration files.
Git Attributes

Git Attributes

A mechanism in Git for defining attributes on a per-path basis, controlling how Git handles certain files or directories.
Git Bisect

Git Bisect

A Git command used to perform a binary search through the commit history to find the commit that introduced a bug.
Git Bisect Run

Git Bisect Run

An automated version of Git Bisect that uses a script to determine if each checked-out commit is "good" or "bad".
Git Blame -C (Copy Detection)

Git Blame -C (Copy Detection)

An enhanced version of Git Blame that detects lines moved or copied from other files, providing better change tracking.
Git Bundle

Git Bundle

A Git command that creates a single file containing all the data needed to recreate a repository's branch or history.
Git Bundle Create/Verify

Git Bundle Create/Verify

Commands to create and verify Git bundles, useful for transferring repository data without using a network.
Git Cheat Sheet

Git Cheat Sheet

A quick reference guide summarizing common Git commands and their usage, helpful for both beginners and experienced users.
Git Cherry

Git Cherry

A Git command used to find commits that haven't been merged upstream, useful for identifying changes to be applied to another branch.
Git Clean

Git Clean

A command to remove untracked files from the working directory, helping to maintain a clean repository state.
Git Commit --amend

Git Commit --amend

A command that allows you to modify the most recent commit, adding new changes or updating the commit message.
Git Commit Amend

Git Commit Amend

A command that allows you to modify the most recent commit, changing its message or contents, and update it without creating a new commit.
Git Commit Hooks

Git Commit Hooks

Scripts that run automatically before or after a commit, allowing you to enforce rules, format code, or perform checks on changes.
Git Commit Templates

Git Commit Templates

Predefined structures for commit messages, helping maintain consistency and include necessary information in commits.
Git Commit Trailers

Git Commit Trailers

Metadata added to the end of commit messages, often used for things like issue references or sign-offs.
Git Commit-graph

Git Commit-graph

A file format used to store commit graph structure, improving performance for operations that traverse commit history.
Git Commit-graph Verify

Git Commit-graph Verify

A command to check the integrity and validity of the commit-graph file in a Git repository.
Git Commit-tree

Git Commit-tree

A low-level Git command used to create a new commit object from an existing tree object.
Git Config

Git Config

A command and system for setting configuration options for Git on a global, local, or repository level.
Git Count-objects

Git Count-objects

A diagnostic command that provides statistics about the number and size of objects in a Git repository.
Git Credential Helper

Git Credential Helper

A system that securely stores and retrieves credentials for Git operations, reducing the need for manual authentication.
Git Daemon

Git Daemon

A lightweight server for the Git protocol, allowing anonymous read access to Git repositories.
Git Dangling Objects

Git Dangling Objects

Objects in Git that are not reachable from any reference, often created during rebasing or other history-altering operations.
Git Describe

Git Describe

A command that generates a human-readable name for a commit based on the most recent tag and additional commit information.
Git Diff

Git Diff

A command that shows changes between commits, branches, files, or the working directory and the index.
Git Diff Algorithms

Git Diff Algorithms

Various methods used by Git to compute differences between versions of files, optimizing for different scenarios.
Git Diff Tool

Git Diff Tool

An external program or interface used to visualize differences between files or commits in a more user-friendly manner.
Git Fetch --All

Git Fetch --All

A command that fetches updates from all remote repositories configured in a Git project.
Git Filter-branch

Git Filter-branch

A powerful tool for rewriting Git history, allowing for large-scale changes across many commits.
Git Flow

Git Flow

A branching model for Git that defines a strict branching structure designed to support multiple parallel developments.
Git Fork

Git Fork

The process of creating a personal copy of someone else's project, allowing for independent development without affecting the original.
Git Fsck

Git Fsck

A command that verifies the connectivity and validity of objects in the Git database.
Git Fsck (File System Check)

Git Fsck (File System Check)

Verifies the integrity of objects in the Git database, checking for corruption and inconsistencies.
Git GPG verification

Git GPG verification

A security feature in Git that uses GPG to sign and verify commits and tags, ensuring authenticity.
Git Garbage Collection (gc)

Git Garbage Collection (gc)

A process that optimizes the Git repository by removing unnecessary files and compressing objects.
Git Gc (Garbage Collection)

Git Gc (Garbage Collection)

Short for Git Garbage Collection, a command to clean up unnecessary files and optimize the repository.
Git Grep

Git Grep

A command for searching files in a Git repository using regular expressions or simple string matching.
Git Hook

Git Hook

A script that Git automatically runs before or after specific events, like commits or merges, to customize workflows and enforce rules.
Git Hooks

Git Hooks

Same as Git Hook, scripts triggered by various Git actions to automate tasks or enforce policies.
Git Ignore

Git Ignore

A mechanism to specify intentionally untracked files that Git should ignore, typically defined in a .gitignore file.
Git Index Format

Git Index Format

The internal format used by Git to store the staging area information, representing the next commit to be made.
Git Init

Git Init

A command used to initialize a new Git repository, creating the necessary directory structure for version control.
Git Interactive Rebase

Git Interactive Rebase

A feature allowing users to modify commits in their branch history, useful for cleaning up before merging.
Git Internals (objects, refs, etc.)

Git Internals (objects, refs, etc.)

The underlying data structures and mechanisms Git uses to store and manage version control information.
Git Interpret-trailers

Git Interpret-trailers

A command to parse and manipulate the trailer lines typically found at the end of commit messages.
Git LFS (Large File Storage)

Git LFS (Large File Storage)

A system that manages large files by storing them outside the main repository, replacing them with lightweight pointers to improve performance and efficiency.
Git Large File Storage (LFS)

Git Large File Storage (LFS)

An extension that replaces large files with text pointers in Git, while storing the file contents on a remote server.
Git Log

Git Log

A command to display the commit history of a repository, showing details like author, date, and commit message.
Git Maintenance

Git Maintenance

A set of tasks performed to keep a Git repository in good condition, including garbage collection and optimization.
Git Merge Strategies

Git Merge Strategies

Different algorithms used by Git to combine separate development histories when merging branches.
Git Merge Tools

Git Merge Tools

External programs or interfaces used to resolve merge conflicts in a more visual and user-friendly manner.
Git Merge-base

Git Merge-base

A command that finds the best common ancestor between two commits, useful for determining the point where branches diverged.
Git Multi-pack Index (MIDX)

Git Multi-pack Index (MIDX)

A feature that improves performance for repositories with many pack files by creating an index across multiple packs.
Git Namespaces

Git Namespaces

A feature allowing multiple references (like branches or tags) with the same name to coexist by separating them into different namespaces.
Git Notes

Git Notes

A way to add or inspect object notes, allowing additional information to be attached to Git objects without changing their SHA-1 hash.
Git Object Storage

Git Object Storage

The system Git uses to store all the versions of files, commits, and other objects in a content-addressable filesystem.
Git Pack Files

Git Pack Files

Compressed files containing Git objects, used to efficiently store and transfer repository data.
Git Packfile Format

Git Packfile Format

The internal format used by Git to store multiple objects efficiently in a single file, reducing disk usage and improving performance.
Git Partial Clone

Git Partial Clone

A feature allowing users to clone a repository without downloading all of its objects, saving bandwidth and storage.
Git Patch

Git Patch

A file format representing changes between versions, used for sharing and applying modifications across different repositories.
Git Plumbing Commands

Git Plumbing Commands

Low-level Git commands that expose the internal workings of Git, primarily used for scripting and advanced operations.
Git Porcelain Commands

Git Porcelain Commands

User-friendly commands for everyday tasks, like git status and git commit, designed for ease of use and clear output.
Git Protocol

Git Protocol

The native network protocol used by Git for efficient data transfer between repositories.
Git Prune

Git Prune

A command that removes objects that are no longer reachable from any references in the repository.

Edge ML

Machine learning models deployed and executed on edge devices, often with cloud-based training or updates.

Edge Model Compression

Techniques for reducing the size of AI models to run efficiently on resource-constrained edge devices.

Edge Natural Language Processing

Performing text analysis and language understanding tasks on edge devices with cloud support.

Edge Orchestration

Managing and coordinating distributed edge computing resources and their interaction with the cloud.

Edge Predictive Maintenance

Using AI on edge devices to forecast equipment failures, with cloud-based model updates and analysis.

Edge Reinforcement Learning

Training AI agents on edge devices through interaction with the environment, supported by cloud resources.

Edge Security

Measures to protect data, devices, and applications at the network edge in cloud-connected systems.

Edge Service Mesh

Distributed network layer for managing service-to-service communication in edge computing environments.

Edge Storage

Data storage systems designed for edge devices with intermittent connectivity to cloud backends.

Edge Transfer Learning

Applying knowledge from pre-trained cloud models to new tasks on edge devices with limited data.

Edge-Native Development

Creating applications specifically designed to run on edge devices with cloud integration capabilities.

Edge-native Programming Models

Software development paradigms optimized for creating applications that run on edge devices.

Edge-to-Cloud Continuum

Seamless integration of edge computing resources with centralized cloud infrastructure and services.

Egress-only Internet Gateway

Cloud networking component allowing outbound internet communication while blocking inbound traffic.

Elastic Beanstalk (AWS)

Fully managed service for deploying and scaling web applications and services on AWS infrastructure.

Elastic IP

Static public IP address that can be dynamically assigned to cloud resources, providing consistent access points for applications.

Elastic Network Interface (ENI)

Virtual network interface that can be attached to instances in a VPC, providing flexible networking capabilities.

Elastic Network Interfaces

Virtual network cards that can be attached, detached, and moved between cloud instances.

Embedded Analytics

Integration of analytical capabilities directly into cloud-based applications and workflows.

Emotion AI Cloud Services

Cloud-based platforms for analyzing and responding to human emotions in various applications.

Emotional AI-driven Cloud Interfaces

Cloud services using AI to detect and respond to user emotions for enhanced interactions.

Encryption (at rest and in transit)

Protecting data by encoding it both when stored and while moving between cloud systems.

Encryption at Rest and in Transit

Techniques for securing data both when stored in cloud systems and while being transmitted.

Energy-Aware Auto-Scaling

Cloud resource scaling that considers energy consumption alongside performance metrics.

Energy-Aware Scheduling

Allocating cloud resources to tasks with consideration for energy consumption and efficiency.

Energy-Efficient Algorithms

Computing methods designed to minimize energy consumption in cloud environments.

Energy-aware Cloud Scheduling

Allocating cloud resources to optimize energy efficiency while meeting performance requirements.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Cloud Reporting

Documenting cloud providers' sustainability and ethical practices for stakeholder transparency.

Envoy Proxy

Open-source edge and service proxy designed for cloud-native applications, providing features like load balancing and observability.

Ethical AI Guidelines Compliance

Adherence to principles ensuring fair and responsible use of AI in cloud environments.

Event Grid (Azure)

Fully managed event routing service for building event-driven applications in Azure.

Event Sourcing

Storing the state of a system as a sequence of events in cloud-based applications.

Event Stream Processing

Real-time analysis of data streams in cloud environments for immediate insights.

Event-Driven Architecture

System design where actions are triggered by events in cloud environments, enabling responsive and scalable applications.

Event-Driven Integration

Connecting cloud services and applications based on event occurrences, enabling real-time data flow and processing.

Event-driven APIs

APIs that trigger or respond to events in cloud-native applications, enabling real-time data processing and integration.

Event-driven Programming Models

Developing cloud applications that respond to and generate events, enabling reactive and scalable architectures.

EventBridge (AWS)

Serverless event bus for building event-driven applications in AWS, facilitating communication between various services.

Eventual Consistency

Data consistency model where all replicas eventually reach a consistent state in distributed cloud systems.

Exascale Cloud Computing

Cloud systems capable of at least one exaFLOPS, or a billion billion calculations per second.

Execution Environment

The runtime context in which cloud functions or applications operate, including libraries, dependencies, and configurations.

Experiment Tracking

Monitoring and recording parameters and results of machine learning experiments in cloud environments.

Explainable AI (XAI) Platforms

Cloud services for making AI decision-making processes more transparent and interpretable.

Explainable AI Frameworks

Tools for developing AI models with transparent decision-making processes in cloud environments.

Explainable AI Platforms

Cloud services offering tools to make AI models' decision-making processes more understandable.

ExpressRoute (Azure)

Service for creating private connections between Azure datacenters and on-premises infrastructure.

Extract, Load, Transform (ELT)

Data integration process where transformation occurs after loading data into the cloud target system.

Extract, Transform, Load (ETL)

Process of extracting data from sources, transforming it to fit operational needs, and loading into a target database in the cloud.

Far-Edge Computing

Extending cloud capabilities to devices at the extreme edge of the network, like IoT sensors.

Feature Flag Management

Tools for dynamically enabling or disabling features in cloud applications without code deployments.

Feature Store

Centralized repository for storing, managing, and serving machine learning features in cloud environments.

Federated Analytics

Analyzing data across multiple cloud or edge locations without centralizing the raw data.

Federated Databases

System allowing integrated data access across multiple autonomous database management systems in the cloud.

Federated Learning

Machine learning technique that trains algorithms across decentralized devices or servers holding local data samples.

Federated Learning Orchestration

Coordinating federated learning processes across multiple edge devices or cloud nodes.

Federated Learning Platforms

Cloud-based systems for implementing and managing federated learning across distributed datasets.

Federated Learning at the Edge

Applying federated learning techniques to train models on edge devices connected to cloud systems.

Federated Query Engines

Tools for executing queries across multiple distributed databases or data sources in cloud environments.

File Storage

Cloud service for storing and accessing file data through shared file systems, providing scalable and manageable data storage.

File Storage (e.g., Amazon EFS, Azure Files)

Cloud services providing scalable file storage accessible from multiple compute instances.

FinOps Automation

Tools and processes for automating financial operations and optimization in cloud environments.

FinOps Operating Model

Framework for managing and optimizing cloud costs across an organization, aligning financial and operational goals.

FinOps Optimization Engines

AI-driven tools for continuously optimizing cloud spend and resource allocation.

Firewall

Security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic in cloud environments.

Fission

Open-source, Kubernetes-native serverless framework for building microservices in the cloud, simplifying application deployment.

Fog Computing

Extending cloud computing to the edge of the network, bringing processing closer to data sources.

Forecasting

Using historical data and algorithms to predict future trends or values in cloud-based analytics.

Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) Services

Cloud-based encryption allowing computations on encrypted data without decryption.

Function Composition Frameworks

Tools for building complex serverless applications by combining multiple cloud functions.

Function as a Service (FaaS)

Cloud computing model where developers run and manage application functionalities without complex infrastructure.

GDPR Compliance in the Cloud

Adhering to EU data protection regulations in cloud-based data processing and storage.

GPU Instances

Cloud compute instances equipped with Graphics Processing Units for parallel processing tasks.

Generative AI Platforms

Cloud-based services for creating AI models that can generate new content or data.

Geospatial Data Processing at Scale

Cloud-based systems for analyzing large volumes of location-based data efficiently.

Gesture-based Cloud Interfaces

User interfaces that interpret hand or body movements to interact with cloud services.

GitOps Workflows

Methodology using Git repositories as the source of truth for declarative infrastructure and applications in the cloud.

Global Accelerator

Service that improves availability and performance of applications by optimizing traffic routing across cloud regions.

Globally Distributed Databases

Database systems that replicate and distribute data across multiple geographic locations in the cloud.

Google Cloud Organization Policy

Rules and constraints applied to resources within a Google Cloud organization, enforcing governance and compliance.

Graph Analytics Platforms

Cloud services for analyzing and visualizing complex relationships in large datasets using graph structures.

Graph Databases

NoSQL databases designed to store and query data with complex relationships in cloud environments.

Green Cloud Computing

Practices and technologies aimed at reducing the environmental impact of cloud data centers and operations.

Green Software Engineering

Practices for developing cloud software that minimizes energy consumption and environmental impact.

Green Software Engineering Practices

Techniques for developing cloud applications that optimize resource usage and reduce environmental impact.

HIPAA Compliance in the Cloud

Adhering to US healthcare data protection regulations in cloud-based systems and applications.

Haptic Feedback over the Cloud

Transmitting touch and motion sensations through cloud-connected devices for immersive experiences.

Health Checks

Automated tests to verify the availability and proper functioning of cloud resources and services.

Heat Reuse from Data Centers

Utilizing excess heat generated by cloud data centers for other purposes, improving energy efficiency.

Helm Charts

Packages of pre-configured Kubernetes resources for deploying applications in cloud environments.

Heterogeneous Distributed Databases

Systems managing data across diverse database types and locations in cloud environments.

High-Performance Computing (HPC)

Using cloud resources for solving complex computational problems requiring significant processing power.

Holographic Cloud Interfaces

Advanced 3D visualization interfaces for interacting with cloud services and data.

Holographic Data Centers

Conceptual cloud data centers using holographic technology for data storage and processing.

Holographic Data Storage

Experimental technology using holograms to store data in cloud environments, potentially offering high density.

Holographic Storage

Experimental data storage technique using holograms in cloud systems for high-density, long-term preservation.

Homomorphic Encryption Services

Cloud-based offerings that enable computations on encrypted data without decryption.

Homomorphic Encryption as a Service

Cloud-based service offering encryption that allows computations on encrypted data.

Homomorphic Encryption in the Cloud

Encryption technique allowing computations on encrypted data without decryption in cloud environments.

Horizontal Scaling (Scale Out)

Adding more machines to a cloud system to distribute load and increase capacity.

Human-Robot Interaction in the Cloud

Cloud-based systems facilitating communication between humans and robots or AI agents.

Metrics Pipeline

System for collecting, processing, and storing performance metrics from containerized applications and infrastructure.

Metrics Server

Kubernetes add-on that collects resource metrics from kubelets for use in autoscaling and monitoring.

Metrics Server Optimization

Techniques for improving the performance and efficiency of the Kubernetes Metrics Server for better monitoring.

MicroK8s

Lightweight, CNCF-certified Kubernetes distribution designed for developer workstations, IoT devices, and CI/CD.

Microservices Chassis Pattern

Reusable base structure for building microservices, providing common functionalities like logging and monitoring.

MinIO Object Storage

High-performance, S3-compatible object storage system, often used for persistent storage in container environments.

Mount Propagation

Feature allowing containers to share mounted volumes, enabling advanced storage scenarios in Kubernetes.

Multi-Container Pod Patterns

Design patterns for deploying multiple containers within a single pod, such as sidecar, ambassador, or adapter patterns.

Multi-architecture Images

Container images supporting multiple CPU architectures, enabling deployment flexibility across diverse hardware.

Multi-cluster Management

Tools and practices for administering and orchestrating multiple Kubernetes clusters as a unified system.

Multi-cluster Networking

Technologies and configurations enabling network connectivity and service discovery across multiple Kubernetes clusters.

Multi-cluster Orchestration

Coordinated management and deployment of containerized applications across multiple Kubernetes clusters.

Multi-cluster Service Discovery

Mechanisms for locating and accessing services deployed across multiple Kubernetes clusters.

Multi-cluster Service Mesh

Implementation of service mesh functionalities spanning multiple Kubernetes clusters for unified traffic management.

Multi-stage Builds

Dockerfile technique using multiple stages to create optimized, smaller container images by separating build and runtime environments.

Multitenancy Benchmarks

Performance and isolation tests for evaluating the effectiveness of multi-tenant Kubernetes cluster configurations.

Multus

CNI plugin enabling attachment of multiple network interfaces to pods in Kubernetes, supporting advanced networking scenarios.

Multus CNI

Container Network Interface plugin allowing multiple CNI plugins to be used simultaneously, enabling multi-network support for pods.

Multus CNI for Multiple Networks

Use of Multus to attach pods to multiple networks, enabling complex networking scenarios in Kubernetes.

Mutating Webhooks

Admission controller webhooks that can modify resource requests before they are persisted, enabling dynamic resource manipulation.

Mutual TLS (mTLS)

Security protocol ensuring both client and server authenticate each other, commonly used in service mesh implementations.

NIST SP 800-190

Observability platform offering performance monitoring and analytics for containerized applications and infrastructure.

NSM (Network Service Mesh)

Cloud-native approach to solving L2/L3 use cases and service chain provisioning in Kubernetes.

NUMA-aware Scheduling

Kubernetes feature considering Non-Uniform Memory Access topology for optimal pod placement.

Namespace

Kubernetes abstraction for creating multiple virtual clusters within a physical cluster, providing a scope for names and resources.

Namespaces

Kubernetes feature for partitioning clusters into virtual sub-clusters, enabling resource isolation and access control.

Network Address Translation (NAT)

Process of modifying network address information in packet headers for routing in container networks.

Network Function Virtualization (NFV)

Concept of replacing dedicated network appliances with virtualized functions, often containerized.

Network Microsegmentation

Security technique dividing networks into isolated zones, enhancing container and microservices security.

Network Policies

Kubernetes resources specifying how groups of pods are allowed to communicate with each other and other network endpoints.

Network Policy

Specification of how groups of pods are allowed to communicate with each other and other network endpoints.

Network Policy Logging

Feature enabling logging of allowed and denied network connections based on Kubernetes Network Policies.

Network Segmentation

Practice of dividing a network into smaller segments or subnets, improving security and performance in container environments.

Network Service Mesh (NSM)

Cloud-native solution providing layer 2/3 network services to Kubernetes workloads, enhancing networking capabilities.

NetworkPolicy

Kubernetes resource defining rules for pod-to-pod and pod-to-external communication, implementing network segmentation.

NeuVector for Container Firewall

Security platform providing real-time container firewall, vulnerability management, and compliance for Kubernetes.

New Relic Container Monitoring

Observability platform offering performance monitoring and analytics for containerized applications and infrastructure.

Node

Basic unit of a distributed application in many systems, often referring to individual machines or processes.

Node Affinity

Kubernetes feature allowing pods to be scheduled on nodes with specific characteristics based on labels.

Node Authorization

Kubernetes authorization mode controlling kubelet access to the API server, enhancing cluster security.

Node Auto-provisioning

Feature automatically adjusting the number of nodes in a Kubernetes cluster based on workload demands.

Node Exporter

Prometheus exporter for hardware and OS metrics exposed by *NIX kernels, used for node-level monitoring in Kubernetes.

Node Feature Discovery

Kubernetes add-on detecting hardware features and system configuration, facilitating hardware-aware scheduling.

Node Name

Unique identifier for a node in a Kubernetes cluster, used in various operations and configurations.

Node Pressure Eviction

Process of removing pods from a node when it experiences resource pressure, ensuring stability.

Node Problem Detector

Kubernetes add-on monitoring and reporting node health issues, enhancing cluster reliability.

Node Restriction Admission Plugin

Kubernetes plugin limiting node and pod modifications to increase security and prevent privilege escalation.

Node Selector

Kubernetes feature for constraining pods to nodes with specific labels, enabling basic scheduling control.

Node Upgrade Process

Procedure for updating the software stack on Kubernetes nodes while minimizing disruption to running workloads.

Node-level Logging

Capture and management of system and container logs at the node level in a Kubernetes cluster.

NodeLifecycleController

Kubernetes controller managing the lifecycle of nodes, handling node registration and decommissioning.

NodeLocal DNSCache

Kubernetes add-on running a dns caching agent on cluster nodes to improve DNS performance.

NodePort

Kubernetes service type exposing the service on each node's IP at a static port, enabling external access.

NodePort Services

Kubernetes services that expose applications on a static port on each node, facilitating external access.

Non-root User Containers

Security practice of running containers with non-privileged users to reduce potential attack surface.

North-South Traffic

Network communication between external clients and services within a Kubernetes cluster, typically through ingress.

Notary

Open-source project providing secure content distribution and verification for container registries.

Notary for Content Trust

Implementation of Notary to ensure the integrity and authenticity of container images, enhancing supply chain security.

OCI Distribution Spec

Open Container Initiative specification defining an API protocol for distributing container images.

OCI Image Spec

Open Container Initiative specification defining the format of container images, ensuring interoperability.

OCI Image Specification

Detailed standard for container image format, ensuring interoperability between different container technologies.

OCI Runtime Specification

Standard defining the configuration, execution environment, and lifecycle of containers, ensuring compatibility.

OOM Killer

Linux kernel mechanism for terminating processes when the system runs out of memory, affecting container reliability.

OVN-Kubernetes for Open Virtual Networking

Integration of Open Virtual Network with Kubernetes for advanced software-defined networking.

Octant Dashboard

Open-source developer-centric web interface for visualizing Kubernetes cluster state and workloads.

Open Container Initiative (OCI) Runtime Spec

Industry standard for container runtime implementations, ensuring compatibility across platforms.

Open Policy Agent (OPA)

General-purpose policy engine for cloud-native environments, often used for Kubernetes admission control.

Open Policy Agent (OPA) Constraint Framework

OPA-based system for declaring, managing, and enforcing policies in Kubernetes environments.

OpenEBS

Container-attached storage solution providing persistent storage for stateful workloads in Kubernetes.

OpenEBS Local PV

OpenEBS feature for provisioning local persistent volumes, optimizing performance for I/O intensive workloads.

OpenFaaS

Framework for building serverless functions with Docker and Kubernetes, simplifying the deployment of event-driven workloads.

OpenID Connect Tokens

JSON Web Tokens used for authentication in Kubernetes, often integrated with external identity providers.

OpenTelemetry Collector

Vendor-agnostic way to receive, process, and export telemetry data in various formats for observability.

OpenTracing

Vendor-neutral API for distributed tracing, facilitating the instrumentation of microservices for observability.

OpenYurt

Kubernetes extension designed for edge computing scenarios, enabling efficient management of edge nodes.

Operator Lifecycle Manager (OLM)

Kubernetes extension that oversees installation, upgrades, and management of Operators in a cluster.

Operator Metering

Feature for usage reporting and billing in Kubernetes clusters, often used with Operators.

Operator Metrics

Performance and health indicators exposed by Kubernetes Operators for monitoring and alerting.

Operator Pattern

Kubernetes extension pattern for automating application-specific operational knowledge and tasks.

Operator SDK

Framework for building Kubernetes Operators, simplifying the development process with high-level APIs.

Operator Scorecard

Tool for validating Operators against best practices and providing suggestions for improvements.

OperatorHub

Public registry for finding and sharing Kubernetes Operators, facilitating discovery and distribution.

Out-of-Tree Plugins

Kubernetes plugins developed and maintained outside the main Kubernetes repository, enabling extensibility.

Outbox Pattern for Reliable Messaging

Design pattern ensuring consistency between database and message broker in distributed systems.

Outlier Detection

Process of identifying abnormal behavior in containerized applications or infrastructure for troubleshooting.

Overhead

Additional resource consumption introduced by container runtimes and orchestration systems.

Overlay Filesystems

Layered filesystem used by container runtimes to efficiently manage image layers and container writes.

Overlay Networks

Virtual networks created on top of existing networks, enabling container-to-container communication across hosts.

Parent Image

Base container image upon which other images are built, providing foundational layers for child images.

Peer Authentication

Service mesh feature ensuring mutual authentication between services using mTLS, enhancing security.

Persistent Volume Claims (PVC)

Kubernetes resource representing a request for storage by a user, abstracting storage implementation details.

Persistent Volumes (PV)

Kubernetes abstraction for a piece of storage in the cluster, managed independently of individual pods.

PersistentVolume

Kubernetes resource representing a piece of storage in the cluster that has been provisioned by an administrator.

PersistentVolumeClaim

Kubernetes resource representing a request for storage by a user, abstracting the details of the underlying storage implementation.

Pipeline as Code

Practice of defining CI/CD pipelines using code, often stored alongside application code for version control and review.

Pixie

Open-source observability tool for Kubernetes, providing automatic data collection and real-time debugging capabilities.

Pixie for Kubernetes Observability

Use of Pixie to gain deep insights into Kubernetes cluster performance and application behavior without code changes.

Pod

Smallest deployable unit in Kubernetes, consisting of one or more containers sharing storage and network resources.

Pod Affinity

Kubernetes scheduling constraint that allows pods to be co-located with other pods based on labels.

Pod Affinity/Anti-Affinity

Kubernetes features for influencing pod scheduling based on the topology of the cluster and other pods.