Lesson 1Object storage internals: eventual consistency, REST APIs, buckets, metadata, scalability and use casesThis part dives into how object storage works, looking at web-based access, storage containers, and data tags. Learners will explore how data eventually syncs up, how it's spread out for growth, and which jobs suit object storage best in local setups.
Buckets, objects, and key namingREST APIs and common operationsEventual consistency behavioursMetadata indexing and searchScaling out capacity and throughputObject storage use cases and limitsLesson 2Cloud storage models: IaaS block storage, managed file storage, object storage, and differences from on-premises storageThis part looks at cloud storage choices like block volumes in IaaS, handled file systems, and object storage. Learners compare reliability, speed, and costs, and see how cloud options differ from traditional local storage in Zambian environments.
IaaS block storage characteristicsManaged cloud file storage servicesCloud object storage featuresDurability, availability, and SLAsCost models and lifecycle policiesHybrid and multicloud storage patternsLesson 3RAID families and trade-offs: RAID 0/1/5/6/10, rebuild behaviour, write penalty, and when to use eachThis part explains key RAID types like 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10, and how they balance speed, space, and protection. Learners will look at recovery processes, writing costs, and tips for choosing RAID for different tasks in practical settings.
RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10 fundamentalsParity, mirroring, and striping basicsWrite penalty and random I/O impactRebuild times and failure riskRAID selection for key workloadsRAID vs. erasure coding overviewLesson 4Block storage vs. file storage vs. object storage: definitions, access patterns, metadata differencesThis part defines block, file, and object storage and how programmes use each one. Learners compare usage patterns, folder setups, and data tagging to figure out which type fits various job needs best.
Block storage concepts and LUN usageFile storage namespaces and sharesObject storage flat namespace modelMetadata handling in each modelTypical workload access patternsChoosing the right storage modelLesson 5Storage area network (SAN): Fibre Channel and iSCSI basics, LUNs, zoning, multipathingThis part introduces SAN ideas, including Fibre Channel and iSCSI, and how they provide block devices as LUNs. Learners will study zoning, hiding, and multiple paths to build strong, fast shared storage networks for local use.
SAN vs. NAS: conceptual differencesFibre Channel fabric fundamentalsiSCSI concepts and connectivityLUN provisioning and maskingZoning strategies and securityMultipathing and path failoverLesson 6Direct-attached storage (DAS): architecture, use cases, limitations, performance characteristicsThis part reviews direct-attached storage, where drives link straight to a computer. Learners will check common setups, speed traits, growth limits, and when DAS works well compared to NAS or SAN in small Zambian offices.
Typical DAS hardware topologiesLocal RAID controllers and JBODPerformance traits and bottlenecksScalability and manageability limitsDAS use cases and best fitsComparing DAS with NAS and SANLesson 7Network-attached storage (NAS): protocols (SMB, NFS), typical deployments, concurrency and permissionsThis part introduces NAS ideas, focusing on how SMB and NFS share folders over networks. Learners will examine setup patterns, handling multiple users, and access rules that keep data safe and manage group usage.
NAS vs. file server: key differencesCore NAS components and data pathsSMB protocol basics and capabilitiesNFS protocol basics and versionsPermissions, ACLs, and identity mappingTypical NAS deployment patternsLesson 8Performance metrics and capacity metrics: IOPS, throughput, latency, capacity planning basics, utilisation and growth forecastingThis part explains main speed and space measures like IOPS, data flow, delay, and usage. Learners will practise reading these, planning space, and predicting growth to keep storage reliable and efficient in growing businesses.
Defining IOPS, throughput, and latencyQueue depth and workload profilesMonitoring tools and key indicatorsCapacity planning and headroomUtilisation thresholds and alertsGrowth forecasting and trend analysisLesson 9Backup vs. archive vs. replication: objectives, retention models, RPO/RTO basics, and common strategiesThis part clears up the goals of backup, archive, and copying data. Learners will study keeping rules, recovery targets like RPO and RTO, and ways to mix tools and plans for rules, recovery, and business continuity in Zambia.
Backup goals and recovery scenariosArchive use cases and compliance needsReplication types and topologiesDefining RPO and RTO requirementsRetention policies and data lifecycleCommon enterprise protection strategies
