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

"As code"

Defining and managing infrastructure, configurations, or processes using code, enabling version control, automation, and reproducibility.
DevOps

"Nines"

Measure of system availability, expressed as a percentage. E.g., "five nines" means 99.999% uptime, allowing for minimal downtime.
DevOps

"Single Pane of Glass"

Unified display or interface that integrates data from multiple sources, providing a comprehensive view of system status or operations.
DevOps

A/B Testing

Comparing two versions of a webpage or app to determine which performs better, based on user interaction and conversion rates.
DevOps

AIOps (Artificial Intelligence Operations)

Using AI and machine learning to enhance IT operations, automating tasks and providing insights for better decision-making.
DevOps

ALB (Application Load Balancing)

Distributes incoming application traffic across multiple targets to improve availability and fault tolerance.
DevOps

API

Application Programming Interface; set of protocols and tools for building software applications and enabling communication between systems.
DevOps

API Discovery

Process of identifying and documenting available APIs within an organization or from external sources.
DevOps

API Endpoint

Specific URL where an API can be accessed and where requests are sent to interact with a server or service.
DevOps

API Gateway

Manages, secures, and routes API requests, acting as a single entry point for multiple microservices or backend systems.
DevOps

API Management

Process of creating, publishing, documenting, and analyzing APIs in a secure environment.
DevOps

API Monitoring

Tracking API performance, availability, and usage to ensure optimal functionality and identify issues.
DevOps

API Response Time

The duration between sending a request to an API and receiving the response, crucial for performance evaluation.
DevOps

API Security

Measures and practices to protect APIs from unauthorized access, attacks, and data breaches.
DevOps

API Versioning

Managing different versions of an API to maintain compatibility while allowing updates and improvements.
DevOps

ASG (Auto Scaling Group)

Feature in cloud computing that automatically adjusts the number of instances based on defined conditions.
DevOps

ASP.Net Core Monitoring

Observing and analyzing the performance and behavior of applications built with ASP.Net Core framework.
DevOps

ATO (Account Takeover)

Type of identity theft where an attacker gains unauthorized access to a user's account.
DevOps

AWS (Amazon Web Services)

Cloud computing platform offering a wide range of services for computing, storage, networking, and more.
DevOps

AWS App Development Tools

Suite of tools provided by AWS for building, testing, and deploying applications on their cloud platform.
DevOps

AWS CLI

Command-line interface for interacting with AWS services, allowing users to manage resources and automate tasks.
DevOps

AWS CloudWatch

Monitoring and observability service for AWS resources and applications, providing metrics, logs, and alarms.
DevOps

AWS CodeDeploy

Fully managed deployment service that automates software deployments to various compute services.
DevOps

AWS CodePipeline

Continuous delivery service for fast and reliable application and infrastructure updates.
DevOps

AWS EC2

Elastic Compute Cloud; scalable computing capacity in the AWS cloud for running virtual servers.
DevOps

AWS ELB

Elastic Load Balancing; automatically distributes incoming application traffic across multiple targets.
DevOps

AWS Lambda

Serverless compute service that runs code in response to events and automatically manages the underlying resources.
DevOps

AWS Managed Services

Ongoing management of AWS infrastructure, allowing customers to focus on their applications and business.
DevOps

AWS Monitoring

Process of tracking and analyzing the performance, health, and usage of AWS resources and applications.
DevOps

AWS RDS

Relational Database Service; managed service for setting up, operating, and scaling relational databases in the cloud.
DevOps

AWS RDS Postgres Monitoring

Tracking and analyzing the performance and health of PostgreSQL databases running on AWS RDS.
DevOps

AWS S3

Simple Storage Service; object storage service offering industry-leading scalability, data availability, and performance.
DevOps

AWS S3 Cost Optimization

Strategies and practices to reduce costs associated with storing and accessing data in AWS S3.
DevOps

AWS Security

Set of tools, services, and best practices for protecting data, applications, and infrastructure in the AWS cloud.
DevOps

Acceptance Test-Driven Development (ATDD)

Software development approach where acceptance tests are written before the code, guiding implementation.
DevOps

Active Directory

Microsoft's directory service for Windows domain networks, managing users, computers, groups, and other objects.
DevOps

Advanced Rate Limiting

Technique to control the rate of incoming requests to an API or service, preventing overload and ensuring fair usage.
DevOps

Agent

Software component that performs automated tasks, often used in monitoring, data collection, or system management.
DevOps

Agile

Iterative approach to software development emphasizing flexibility, collaboration, and rapid delivery of working software.
DevOps

Agile Manifesto

Document outlining values and principles of Agile software development, prioritizing individuals, working software, and adaptability.
DevOps

Agile Methodology

Set of practices based on Agile principles, focusing on iterative development, team collaboration, and customer feedback.
DevOps

Agile Organization

Company structure that emphasizes adaptability, quick response to change, and continuous improvement.
DevOps

Agile Project Management

Applying Agile principles to project management, focusing on iterative planning, frequent delivery, and team empowerment.
DevOps

Agile Software Development

Iterative approach to building software, emphasizing flexibility, collaboration, and rapid delivery of working features.
DevOps

Ajax Requests

Technique for creating fast, dynamic web pages by exchanging small amounts of data with the server behind the scenes.
DevOps

Alerting

System for notifying relevant personnel about critical events or issues in IT infrastructure or applications.
DevOps

Amazon Aurora

Fully managed relational database engine compatible with MySQL and PostgreSQL, designed for the cloud.
DevOps

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

A cloud platform offering a wide range of services like computing power, storage, and databases, enabling scalable, flexible solutions.
DevOps

Android Deployment

Process of distributing and installing Android applications on devices or making them available through app stores.
DevOps

Android Emulator

Software tool that simulates Android devices on a computer for testing and development purposes.
DevOps

Android Studio

Official integrated development environment (IDE) for Android app development, offering a comprehensive set of tools and features.
DevOps

Anomaly Detection

Process of identifying unusual patterns or behaviors that deviate from expected norms in data or system behavior.
DevOps

Ansible

Open-source automation tool for configuration management, application deployment, and task automation.
DevOps

Antifragile

Quality of systems that gain strength from disorder or stress, becoming more resilient in the face of challenges.
DevOps

Apache

Popular open-source web server software that can run on various platforms, known for its reliability and extensive feature set.
DevOps

App Store Connect

Apple's platform for managing apps, viewing analytics, and submitting to the App Store.
DevOps

AppDynamics

Application performance management and IT operations analytics platform for monitoring and optimizing application performance.
DevOps

Application Containerization

Packaging software code and dependencies into lightweight, portable containers for consistent deployment across environments.
DevOps

Application Firewall

Security system that monitors, filters, and blocks HTTP/HTTPS traffic to and from web applications.
DevOps

Application Infrastructure

The hardware, software, and networking components required to run and support an application.
DevOps

Application Lifecycle Management

Process of managing an application from ideation through retirement, including development, testing, and maintenance.
DevOps

Application Migration

Process of moving an application from one environment to another, often involving cloud or platform transitions.
DevOps

Application Performance Monitoring (APM)

Tools and practices for monitoring and managing the performance and availability of software applications.
DevOps

Application Platform

Software framework that provides a foundation for developing and running applications, often including runtime services and APIs.
DevOps

Application Program Interface (API)

Set of protocols, routines, and tools for building software applications and enabling communication between different software systems.
DevOps

Application Release Automation (ARA)

Process of packaging and deploying applications automatically across various environments and platforms.
DevOps

Application Security

Measures taken to improve the security of an application by finding, fixing, and preventing vulnerabilities.
DevOps

Application Team

Group responsible for developing, maintaining, and improving a specific application or set of applications.
DevOps

Application Whitelisting

Security practice that specifies which applications are permitted to run on a system, blocking all others.
DevOps

Application Workflow

Sequence of tasks or processes within an application, often automated to improve efficiency and consistency.
DevOps

Aptly

Debian repository management tool that makes it easy to mirror existing repositories and create new ones.
DevOps

Artifact

Any file or object produced during the software development process, such as compiled code, documentation, or test results.
DevOps

Artifactory

Repository manager for storing and managing software packages, artifacts, and dependencies.
DevOps

Artifacts

Byproducts of software development, including executables, libraries, documentation, and other files created during the process.
DevOps

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Computer systems capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as learning and problem-solving.
DevOps

Asgard

Open-source web-based tool for cloud management and application deployment, primarily used with Amazon Web Services.
DevOps

Asterisk

Open-source framework for building communications applications, particularly used for creating custom telephone systems.
DevOps

Atom

Open-source text and source code editor developed by GitHub, known for its customizability.
DevOps

Attack Surface

Total sum of vulnerabilities in a given system that are accessible to an attacker.
DevOps

Attack Vector

Method or pathway used by a malicious actor to gain unauthorized access to a computer or network.
DevOps

Audit Log

Chronological record of system activities, providing a trail for tracking user actions and system events.
DevOps

Auditd

Linux daemon that monitors and logs system activities to detect security violations.
DevOps

Authentication Factor

Piece of information or process used to verify a user's identity, such as passwords, biometrics, or security tokens.
DevOps

Automated Builds

Process of compiling source code into executable software without manual intervention, often part of CI/CD pipelines.
DevOps

Automation

Use of technology to perform tasks with minimal human intervention, improving efficiency and reducing errors.
DevOps

Autonomy

Degree of independence and self-governance given to teams or systems in making decisions and performing tasks.
DevOps

Awsbox

Tool for deploying node.js apps to Amazon Web Services, simplifying the process of setting up and managing instances.
DevOps

Azure

Microsoft's cloud computing platform providing a wide range of services for building, testing, deploying, and managing applications.
DevOps

Back-end

Server-side of a website or application, responsible for data storage, security, and business logic.
DevOps

Backup

Copy of data created to protect against loss or damage, often stored separately from the original for recovery purposes.
DevOps

Bad/Threat Actor

Individual or entity that attempts to exploit vulnerabilities in systems or networks for malicious purposes.
DevOps

Baklava code

Term describing code that has too many layers, making it overly complex and difficult to understand or maintain.
DevOps

Bamboo

Continuous integration and deployment server by Atlassian, automating the building, testing, and deployment of software.
DevOps

Bare-metal

Physical computer server dedicated to a single tenant, not virtualized or shared among multiple users.
DevOps

Barkeep

Open-source web-based code review system that facilitates collaborative code reviews and discussions.
DevOps

Bash

Unix shell and command language, widely used for scripting and automating tasks in Unix-like operating systems.
DevOps

Bastion host

Specially designed system on a network specifically intended to withstand attacks, usually placed at the edge of a network.
DevOps

Bazel

Open-source build and test tool that enables fast, reproducible builds across multiple platforms and languages.
DevOps

Beats

Lightweight data shippers for various types of data, part of the Elastic Stack for log and metrics collection.
DevOps

Behavior-Driven Development (BDD)

Software development approach that focuses on defining the behavior of an application based on user stories.
DevOps
index entry

index entry

A record in Git's index file representing the state of a file in the repository.
integration

integration

A connection between Git and other tools or services to enhance functionality and workflow.
key fingerprint

key fingerprint

A short sequence of bytes used to identify a longer public key in Git's GPG signing process.
keychain

keychain

A secure storage system for passwords and keys, often integrated with Git clients for credential management.
keyword

keyword

A reserved word in Git commands or configurations with a specific meaning or function.
label

label

A way to categorize and organize issues and pull requests in GitHub repositories.
license

license

A document in a Git repository specifying how the project can be used, modified, and distributed.
line comment

line comment

A feature in Git platforms allowing users to comment on specific lines of code in pull requests or commits.
line ending

line ending

Characters marking the end of a line, which can cause issues in Git when collaborating across different operating systems.
locked personal account

locked personal account

A GitHub account that has been restricted due to a violation of terms of service or suspicious activity.
main

main

The default name for the primary branch in many Git repositories, replacing 'master' in recent conventions.
management console

management console

An administrative interface for managing Git hosting services, often used in enterprise environments.
markup

markup

A system of annotation used to format text, often used in Git documentation and comments.
members graph

members graph

A visual representation of an organization's membership on Git hosting platforms.
merge conflict

merge conflict

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

milestone

A way to track progress on groups of issues or pull requests in GitHub projects.
mirror

mirror

A complete copy of a repository, including all branches and history, often used for backup or as a full replica.
nested team

nested team

A team within a GitHub organization that is a subset of a larger team, inheriting its permissions.
network graph

network graph

A visual representation of the commit history and branch structure of a Git repository.
news feed

news feed

A personalized list of recent activity on Git platforms, showing updates from followed users and repositories.
non-fast-forward

non-fast-forward

A Git push that introduces new commits to the remote branch that aren't direct descendants of the current remote HEAD.
notification

notification

An alert system on Git platforms to inform users about relevant activities and mentions.
object

object

A fundamental unit in Git's data model, representing content, commits, trees, or tags, identified by a unique SHA-1 hash.
object database

object database

The storage system in Git that contains all versions of project files and metadata, organized by SHA-1 hashes.
object identifier (oid)

object identifier (oid)

A unique SHA-1 hash that identifies a Git object, ensuring data integrity and enabling content-addressable storage.
object name

object name

Another term for the SHA-1 hash that uniquely identifies a Git object in the repository.
object type

object type

The classification of Git objects, including blob (file content), tree (directory structure), commit, and tag.
octopus

octopus

A Git merge involving more than two branches simultaneously, creating a commit with multiple parents.
organization

organization

A shared account on Git hosting platforms where businesses and open-source projects can collaborate across many projects.
organization owner

organization owner

A user with administrative privileges for an organization account on Git hosting platforms.
orphan

orphan

A branch in Git with no parent commit, typically used to start a new history unrelated to existing branches.
outside collaborator

outside collaborator

A user granted access to a repository but not a member of the organization that owns the repository.
overlay

overlay

A Git feature that allows files from one branch to temporarily override files in another branch without merging.
owner

owner

The user or organization with administrative rights to a Git repository, controlling access and settings.
pack

pack

A compressed file format used by Git to store multiple objects efficiently, reducing repository size.
pack index

pack index

A file that provides fast random access to objects stored within a packfile in Git.
parent

parent

A commit from which another commit is derived, establishing the hierarchical relationship in Git history.
parent team

parent team

A team in a Git platform that grants its permissions to nested sub-teams within an organization.
participating notifications

participating notifications

Alerts received when you're directly involved in repository activities like being assigned or mentioned.
pathspec

pathspec

A pattern used in Git commands to limit the scope of operations to specific files or directories.
peel

peel

The process of recursively dereferencing a Git object to reveal its underlying object type.
per-worktree ref

per-worktree ref

A reference specific to a particular working tree in a Git repository with multiple worktrees.
permalink

permalink

A URL that points to a specific version of a file or directory in a Git repository, ensuring consistent reference.
personal account

personal account

An individual account on Git platforms, used for personal projects and contributions.
pickaxe

pickaxe

A Git feature for searching the repository history to find when a particular change was introduced.
pinned repository

pinned repository

A featured repository prominently displayed on a user's or organization's profile page on their Git hosting platform of choice.
plumbing

plumbing

Low-level Git commands that expose internal workings, primarily used for scripting and advanced operations.
porcelain

porcelain

High-level Git commands designed for everyday use, providing a user-friendly interface to common version control tasks.
pre-receive hooks

pre-receive hooks

Server-side scripts that run before pushed commits are accepted, used to enforce policies or perform checks.
primary email address

primary email address

The main email associated with a Git account, used for communications and commit author identification.
private contributions

private contributions

Contributions made to private repositories, typically only visible to repository collaborators.
private repository

private repository

A Git repository with restricted access, visible only to the owner and explicitly granted collaborators.
production branch

production branch

A Git branch that represents the stable, deployed version of a project, often protected from direct changes.
profile

profile

A user's public page on a Git platform, displaying information about their activity and repositories.
profile photo

profile photo

An image representing a user on a Git platform, displayed alongside their contributions and activities.
project board

project board

A kanban-style board in Git platforms for organizing and prioritizing project issues and pull requests.
protected branch

protected branch

A branch with rules enforcing certain conditions before changes can be pushed, merged, or deleted.
pseudoref

pseudoref

A Git reference that doesn't follow the standard refs format but is treated similarly, like HEAD or MERGE_HEAD.
public contributions

public contributions

Contributions made to public repositories, visible on a user's profile and activity feed.
public repository

public repository

A Git repository that is openly accessible to anyone, allowing viewing and often cloning without authentication.
pull access

pull access

Permission level in Git allowing a user to clone a repository and fetch updates, but not push changes.
pull request review

pull request review

The process of examining proposed changes in a pull request before they are merged into the main codebase.
pulse graph

pulse graph

A visual representation of a GitHub repository's recent activity, including commits, issues, and pull requests.
punch graph

punch graph

A visualization of commit frequency over time, often displayed as a heatmap on Git platforms.
push a branch

push a branch

The act of uploading commits from a local branch to a corresponding branch in a remote Git repository.
push access

push access

Permission to upload local changes to a remote Git repository, allowing direct modification of shared branches.
reachability bitmaps

reachability bitmaps

Data structures used to optimize Git operations by quickly determining which objects are reachable from a given commit.
reachable

reachable

Git objects that can be accessed by following the commit history from a given reference point.
read access

read access

Permission to view and clone a Git repository without the ability to make changes or push commits.
recovery code

recovery code

A backup method for accessing a Git account if two-factor authentication is enabled but unavailable.
ref

ref

A name that points to a specific Git object, typically a commit, such as branches or tags.
refs

refs

The collection of references in a Git repository, including branches, tags, and other named pointers to commits.
remote URL

remote URL

The address of a remote Git repository, used for fetching and pushing changes between local and remote repositories.
remote repository

remote repository

A version of a Git project hosted on a server, serving as a central point for collaboration and backup.
remote-tracking branch

remote-tracking branch

A local reference that represents the state of a corresponding branch in a remote repository.
replica

replica

A copy of a Git repository, often used in distributed systems for redundancy and load balancing.
repository cache

repository cache

A local storage of repository data used to improve performance in Git operations.
repository graph

repository graph

A visual representation of the commit history and branch structure in a Git repository.
repository maintainer

repository maintainer

A person responsible for managing a Git repository, reviewing contributions, and maintaining project quality.
required pull request review

required pull request review

A protection rule requiring one or more reviewers to approve changes before merging in Git platforms.
required status check

required status check

A condition that must be met, such as passing tests, before changes can be merged into a protected branch.
resolve

resolve

The process of addressing and fixing merge conflicts in Git, typically done manually by the developer.
revert

revert

A Git operation that creates a new commit that undoes the changes made by a previous commit.
review

review

The process of examining proposed changes in a pull request before merging them into the main codebase.
revision

revision

A specific version of a file, directory, or entire repository in Git, often referenced by a commit hash.
rewind

rewind

The act of moving a branch pointer to an earlier commit in Git, effectively undoing more recent commits.
root directory

root directory

The top-level directory of a Git repository, containing all project files and the .git subdirectory.
root filesystem

root filesystem

The base filesystem of a Git repository, from which all other directories and files are organized.
saved reply

saved reply

A pre-written response that can be quickly inserted into issues or pull request comments on Git platforms.
scope

scope

The range of access or permissions granted to a token or application in Git-based systems.
seat

seat

A licensed user in enterprise Git hosting plans, typically representing a single user account.
secret team

secret team

A team in a Git organization that is hidden from non-members and other teams within the organization.
security log

security log

A record of security-related events and actions in a system, used for monitoring and auditing purposes.
server-to-server request

server-to-server request

An authenticated request between Git servers, often used in integrations or automated processes.
service hook

service hook

A mechanism for Git platforms to send event notifications to external services or applications.
shallow repository

shallow repository

A Git repository with an intentionally truncated history, often created through shallow cloning.
single sign-on

single sign-on

An authentication process allowing users to access multiple Git-related services with one set of credentials.
special ref

special ref

A Git reference with a specific meaning or function, such as HEAD or FETCH_HEAD.
staging instance

staging instance

A deployment environment used for testing changes before releasing to production in Git-based workflows.
star

star

A feature on Git hosting platforms allowing users to bookmark repositories of interest.

Blockchain Interoperability

Capability of different blockchain networks to exchange and use information across cloud platforms.

Blockchain as a Service

Cloud-based blockchain infrastructure and management tools offered as a service, simplifying blockchain adoption.

Blockchain as a Service (BaaS)

Cloud platforms offering blockchain infrastructure and tools as a managed service for easy deployment and scaling.

Blockchain-Based Audit Trails for Cloud Resources

Immutable, distributed ledgers recording all actions and changes to cloud resources for enhanced accountability.

Blockchain-Based Databases

Distributed databases using blockchain for data storage and validation in cloud environments.

Blockchain-Based Networking

Use of blockchain technology for secure, decentralized network management and routing in cloud infrastructures.

Blockchain-Based Security Audit Trails

Immutable records of security events and access logs in cloud systems using blockchain technology.

Blockchain-based Cloud Security

Use of blockchain technology to enhance security, integrity, and transparency of cloud services and data.

Blockchain-based Supply Chain

Cloud-hosted blockchain networks for tracking and verifying supply chain transactions and product provenance.

Blue-Green Deployment

Cloud deployment strategy using two identical environments to minimize downtime and risk during updates.

Blue-Green Deployments

Technique using two identical production environments to reduce downtime and risk when deploying new versions of cloud applications.

Border Gateway Protocol (BGP)

Internet routing protocol used in cloud networking to exchange routing information between autonomous systems.

Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) for Cloud Interaction

Experimental systems allowing direct neural control of cloud resources and services.

Budget Alerts

Notifications triggered when cloud spending reaches predefined thresholds to help control costs.

Budget Management

Tools and practices for setting, tracking, and controlling cloud service expenditures.

Business Intelligence Tools (e.g., Amazon QuickSight, Power BI)

Cloud-based platforms for data analysis and visualization, e.g., Amazon QuickSight, Power BI.

CQRS (Command Query Responsibility Segregation)

Architectural pattern separating read and write operations in cloud-based applications.

Calico

Open-source networking and security solution for containers and Kubernetes in cloud environments.

Canary Deployments

Technique of rolling out changes to a small subset of users before full deployment in cloud environments.

Carbon Footprint Calculation for Cloud Services

Tools and methods for estimating the environmental impact of cloud resource usage.

Carbon Usage Effectiveness (CUE)

Metric measuring the carbon emissions associated with data center energy consumption in cloud facilities.

Carbon-Aware Computing

Cloud computing practices that consider and optimize for carbon emissions in resource allocation and usage.

Carbon-Intelligent Computing

Cloud infrastructure and algorithms designed to minimize carbon footprint by optimizing energy use and sourcing.

Carbon-Intelligent Workload Scheduling

Cloud resource management that schedules tasks based on availability of low-carbon energy sources.

Centralized Logging

Consolidation of log data from various cloud services and applications into a single, searchable repository.

Chaos Engineering Platforms

Cloud-based systems for designing, running, and analyzing controlled experiments to test system resilience.

Chaos Engineering Tools

Software used to intentionally introduce failures in cloud systems to test and improve their resilience.

Chaos Engineering as a Service

Cloud-based platforms for designing and executing controlled experiments to test system resilience.

Chargeback Models

Frameworks for allocating and billing cloud service costs to different departments or projects within an organization.

Chargeback and Showback

Methods for allocating cloud costs to business units, showing actual charges or usage without billing.

Chatbot Services

Cloud-based platforms for building, deploying, and managing conversational AI agents.

Cilium

Open-source, eBPF-based networking, observability, and security solution for container and Kubernetes environments.

Circuit Breaker Pattern

Design pattern that prevents cascading failures in distributed cloud systems by temporarily disabling failing components.

Circular Economy in Cloud Hardware

Practices promoting reuse, refurbishment, and recycling of cloud infrastructure components.

Cloud Abstraction Layer

Software that provides a unified interface to multiple cloud providers, simplifying multi-cloud management.

Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)

Service that mediates between cloud users and providers, enforcing security policies and monitoring usage.

Cloud Adoption Framework

Structured approach for planning and implementing cloud migration and optimization strategies.

Cloud Analytics

Tools and services for processing and analyzing large datasets using cloud-based resources.

Cloud Asset Intelligence

Systems for discovering, classifying, and managing cloud resources across an organization's infrastructure.

Cloud Asset Management

Processes and tools for tracking, optimizing, and governing cloud resources throughout their lifecycle.

Cloud Broker

Intermediary service that helps organizations select, integrate, and manage multiple cloud services.

Cloud Bursting

Technique of extending on-premises infrastructure into the cloud to handle peak workloads.

Cloud CDN

Content Delivery Network services that distribute data from cloud origins to global edge locations for faster access.

Cloud Carbon Footprint Monitoring

Tools and practices for measuring and reporting the environmental impact of cloud resource consumption.

Cloud Center of Excellence (CCoE)

Cross-functional team responsible for cloud strategy, governance, and best practices within an organization.

Cloud Configuration Optimization

Process of adjusting cloud resource settings to improve performance, security, and cost-efficiency.

Cloud Cost Anomaly Detection

Automated identification of unusual or unexpected changes in cloud spending patterns.

Cloud Cost Optimization

Strategies and tools for reducing cloud expenses while maintaining performance and meeting business needs.

Cloud Custodian

Open-source tool for managing and enforcing cloud security, compliance, and cost optimization policies.

Cloud DNS

Scalable, managed Domain Name System service for translating domain names to IP addresses in cloud environments.

Cloud Data Sovereignty Solutions

Services ensuring data storage and processing comply with regional data residency and privacy laws.

Cloud Development Kit (CDK)

Framework for defining cloud infrastructure using familiar programming languages instead of configuration files.

Cloud Financial Operations

Practices and tools for managing, optimizing, and reporting on cloud spending and resource utilization.

Cloud Functions (Google Cloud)

Serverless compute platform for running event-driven code without managing infrastructure.

Cloud Gaming

Service that streams video games from cloud servers to user devices, reducing hardware requirements.

Cloud Governance Framework

Set of policies, processes, and tools for managing and controlling cloud resource usage and compliance.

Cloud Infrastructure Entitlement Management (CIEM)

Tools for managing access rights and permissions across multi-cloud environments.

Cloud Interconnect (Google Cloud)

Service providing direct, private network connections between on-premises networks and Google Cloud.

Cloud License Optimization

Strategies and tools for managing software licenses in cloud environments to reduce costs and ensure compliance.

Cloud Management Platform

Integrated suite of tools for monitoring, managing, and optimizing multi-cloud and hybrid cloud environments.

Cloud Migration Assessment

Evaluation of on-premises IT assets to determine feasibility, strategy, and costs for moving to the cloud.

Cloud Monitoring

Tools and services for tracking performance, availability, and health of cloud resources and applications.

Cloud Native Application Performance Management (APM)

Tools for monitoring and optimizing performance of applications built for cloud environments.

Cloud Native Buildpacks

Standardized way to transform application source code into container images for cloud deployment.

Cloud Native CI/CD

Continuous integration and delivery practices optimized for cloud-native application development and deployment.

Cloud Native Databases

Database systems designed to leverage cloud infrastructure for scalability, resilience, and performance.

Cloud Native Networking

Network architectures and technologies optimized for cloud-native application environments.

Cloud Native Observability

Practices and tools for monitoring, logging, and tracing cloud-native applications and infrastructure.

Cloud Native Security

Security practices and tools designed specifically for protecting cloud-native applications and infrastructure.

Cloud Native Storage

Storage systems designed to integrate seamlessly with cloud-native applications and container orchestrators.

Cloud Network Automation

Tools and practices for automating the deployment, configuration, and management of cloud network resources.

Cloud Network Function Virtualization (NFV)

Virtualizing network functions like firewalls and load balancers in cloud environments.

Cloud Network Intelligence

AI-driven tools for optimizing and securing cloud network performance and operations.

Cloud Performance Benchmarking Tools

Services for measuring and comparing performance metrics across different cloud providers and configurations.

Cloud Rendering

Use of cloud computing resources for processing and generating complex graphics or animations.

Cloud Repatriation

Process of moving applications or data from public cloud environments back to on-premises or private cloud infrastructure.

Cloud Robotics

Integration of cloud computing with robotics, enabling robots to leverage cloud resources for processing and data storage.

Cloud Robotics Data Analytics

Cloud-based tools for processing and analyzing large datasets generated by robotic systems.

Cloud Robotics Security

Measures and tools to protect cloud-connected robotic systems from cyber threats and unauthorized access.

Cloud Robotics Simulation Environments

Cloud-based platforms for testing and training robotic systems in virtual environments.

Cloud Run (Google Cloud)

Fully managed platform for deploying and scaling containerized applications in a serverless environment.

Cloud Security

Comprehensive measures and tools to protect data, applications, and infrastructure in cloud computing environments.

Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM)

Tools for continuously monitoring and improving security risks in cloud infrastructure configurations.

Cloud Service Catalog

Centralized repository of available cloud services and resources within an organization.

Cloud Spend Analysis

Tools and practices for analyzing and optimizing cloud expenditures across an organization.

Cloud Spend Anomaly Detection

Automated identification of unusual or unexpected patterns in cloud service usage and costs.

Cloud Spend Forecasting

Predictive analytics tools for estimating future cloud costs based on historical usage and trends.

Cloud WAN

Wide Area Network service that connects and manages global network resources using cloud infrastructure.

Cloud WAN (Wide Area Network)

Managed service for connecting and managing global network resources using cloud infrastructure.

Cloud Workload Protection Platform (CWPP)

Security solutions designed to protect cloud-native applications and workloads across multiple environments.

Cloud-Based 3D Asset Management

Services for storing, versioning, and collaborating on 3D models and assets in the cloud.

Cloud-Based Computer Vision for Robotics

Services providing image and video analysis capabilities for cloud-connected robotic systems.

Cloud-Based Data Labeling Services

Platforms offering human-powered or AI-assisted data annotation for machine learning models.

Cloud-Based Digital Twins

Virtual representations of physical objects or systems, powered by cloud computing and IoT data.

Cloud-Based Distributed Operating Systems

OS designed to manage resources across multiple cloud environments as a single system.

Cloud-Based Generative AI Services

Platforms offering pre-trained or customizable generative AI models as cloud services.

Cloud-Based Haptic Feedback

Services using cloud computing to generate and deliver tactile sensations for virtual or augmented reality experiences.

Cloud-Based Motion Capture

Services utilizing cloud resources to process and analyze motion capture data for animation or biomechanics.

Cloud-Based Reinforcement Learning

Platforms offering scalable environments and resources for training AI agents using reinforcement learning algorithms.

Cloud-Based Robot Learning

Services enabling robots to learn and improve their capabilities using cloud-based AI and machine learning resources.

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.