Techsplainers by IBM

IBM
  • 3.5 (2)
  • Business
  • Updated Daily

Introducing the Techsplainers by IBM podcast, your new podcast for quick, powerful takes on today’s most important AI and tech topics. Each episode brings you bite-sized learning designed to fit your day, whether you’re driving, exercising, or just curious for something new. This is just the beginning. Tune in every weekday at 6 AM ET for fresh insights, new voices, and smarter learning. Visit podcast page: https://www.ibm.com/think/podcasts/techsplainers

  1. 2d ago

    What are immutable backups

    This episode of Techsplainers explores immutable backups and why they are a core part of modern data protection. It explains how immutable backups create read-only copies of data that cannot be altered or deleted during a defined retention period, helping organizations defend against ransomware, accidental deletion, corruption and insider threats. The episode walks through the difference between traditional backups, immutable backups and immutable snapshots, showing how each fits into a layered recovery strategy. It also examines the technical building blocks behind immutable backups, including WORM storage, retention locks, partitioning, air gapping, continuous data protection, encryption, access controls and AI-based threat detection. Along the way, the discussion highlights the growing role immutable backups play in cyber resilience, disaster recovery and compliance across industries such as healthcare, finance and education. Listeners will also hear practical guidance on deployment choices, backup types, regular testing and integration with broader security operations. The result is a clear look at how immutable backups help organizations preserve data integrity and maintain reliable recovery options when systems are under attack. Learn more in https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/immutable-backups Find more information at https://www.ibm.com/think/podcasts/techsplainers Narrated by Matt Finio

    What are immutable backups

  2. 3d ago

    What are immutable snapshots

    This episode of Techsplainers explores immutable snapshots and why they are becoming an important part of modern infrastructure and cyber resilience strategies. It explains immutable snapshots as read-only, point-in-time copies of data that cannot be changed during their retention period, making them useful against malware, insider threats and accidental deletion. The episode walks through how immutable snapshots differ from immutable backups, why snapshots often provide more granular recovery points, and how supporting technologies such as WORM, copy-on-write, retention policies, metadata and management APIs work together to preserve clean restore points. It also looks at the financial and operational impact of breaches across hybrid environments, where data protection has become more complex and more costly. Along the way, listeners hear how immutable snapshots support disaster recovery, cyber recovery, data integrity, compliance and digital forensics. The discussion also covers real-world use cases in regulated industries and best practices for aligning snapshot policies with business recovery goals. Learn more in https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/immutable-snapshots Find more information at https://www.ibm.com/think/podcasts/techsplainers Narrated by Matt Finio

    What are immutable snapshots

  3. 4d ago

    What is unified data storage

    This episode of Techsplainers explores unified storage and how it brings file, block and object storage together under a single platform. It walks listeners through the core idea behind unified storage, then explains how each storage type works, where each one fits best and why most enterprise environments need more than one approach at the same time. The episode follows the operational challenges that arise when these storage types are managed in separate silos, including wasted capacity, added administrative overhead and fragmented visibility. It then examines the practical benefits of unification, from better capacity allocation and deduplication efficiency to simpler management and support for hybrid cloud and multicloud environments. Along the way, the discussion also covers the tradeoffs. Unified storage can involve up-front migration costs, potential vendor lock-in, performance considerations for mixed workloads and the risk of creating a broader single point of failure. By the end, listeners get a clear view of where unified storage fits, where it may be unnecessary and why it can be a useful approach for organizations balancing flexibility, efficiency and scale. Learn more in https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/unified-storage Find more information at https://www.ibm.com/think/podcasts/techsplainers Narrated by Matt Finio

    What is unified data storage

  4. 5d ago

    What is network attached storage

    This episode of Techsplainers explores network attached storage, or NAS, and explains why this long-standing storage approach still matters in modern infrastructure strategies. It walks through how NAS provides centralized file storage over a local network, making it easier for teams to share files, manage backups and maintain control over data. The episode follows NAS from the basics to the bigger picture, covering core components like HDDs, SSDs, controllers, operating systems and file-sharing protocols. It also explains the difference between scale-up and scale-out NAS, and compares enterprise NAS with smaller business or consumer setups. Along the way, clear comparisons between NAS, DAS and SAN architectures. The discussion also looks at where NAS fits today, including cloud integration, edge use cases and support for some AI workflows. Finally, it addresses the tradeoffs, the benefits, and the real-world use cases that keep NAS relevant. Learn more in https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/network-attached-storage Find more information at https://www.ibm.com/think/podcasts/techsplainers Narrated by Matt Finio

    What is network attached storage

  5. 6d ago

    What is Data Storage

    This episode of Techsplainers explores what data storage is and why it remains a foundational part of modern computing. It explains how storage differs from memory, how computers retain data over time, and why the growth of AI and IoT systems is increasing pressure on storage systems to scale efficiently. The episode walks through the main types of data storage: file, block and object storage, showing where each fits best in real-world environments. It also examines major storage architectures, including direct-attached storage, network-attached storage and storage area networks, highlighting the tradeoffs between simplicity, performance, cost and scalability. From SSDs and flash to cloud, hybrid cloud, AI and edge storage, the discussion follows how storage technologies are evolving to support new workloads. It also covers the growing role of storage in cybersecurity and compliance, including encryption, immutable snapshots, cyber resilience and recovery testing requirements in regulated industries. Finally, it introduces software-defined, virtualized and intelligent storage approaches that help organizations manage data more efficiently at scale. Learn more in https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/data-storage Find more information at https://www.ibm.com/think/podcasts/techsplainers Narrated by Matt Finio

    What is Data Storage

  6. Aug 28

    What is NVMe?

    This episode of Techsplainers explores NVMe, or Non-Volatile Memory Express, the protocol designed to help systems get more performance out of modern non-volatile storage like flash memory and SSDs. As the final episode in this data storage series, it connects the dots between storage media, system architecture and real-world performance. The episode explains why older storage protocols were built for mechanical hard drives and how that created bottlenecks once flash storage became much faster. It then breaks down how NVMe uses the PCIe bus, reduces overhead and supports far more parallel commands than earlier approaches, helping lower latency and improve throughput for demanding workloads. Listeners will hear where NVMe matters most, from enterprise databases and AI workloads to everyday laptops and desktops, and how it differs from NAND flash itself. The discussion also introduces NVMe over Fabrics, which extends NVMe principles into networked storage environments. By closing out the storage series with NVMe, the episode highlights a central takeaway from the broader run: storage performance depends on layers working together, from architecture and protection to media and protocol. Learn more in https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/nvme Find more information at https://www.ibm.com/think/podcasts/techsplainers Narrated by Elly Trickett "AI tools may be used to transcribe this episode and support selected stages of the production process. All AI-assisted content is reviewed by the production team before publication."

    What is NVMe?

  7. Aug 27

    What is NAND flash memory?

    This episode of Techsplainers explores NAND flash memory, the non-volatile memory technology that underpins many modern storage devices, from USB drives and smartphones to enterprise solid-state drives. As the storage series moves deeper into the hardware layer, the episode explains how NAND flash fits into the broader story of performance, density and storage design. The discussion breaks down how NAND flash stores data without moving parts, why that enables faster access than traditional hard disk drives, and what makes it different from volatile memory like DRAM. It also examines the major types of NAND flash, including SLC, MLC, TLC and QLC, and explains the tradeoffs among speed, endurance, cost and capacity. The episode also introduces 3D NAND, showing how vertical stacking helped increase density and scale. Listeners will learn why NAND flash is foundational to modern flash storage, how it connects to broader storage architecture decisions and why it sets the stage for technologies like NVMe. Along the way, the episode also covers the limitations of NAND flash, including wear over time and the engineering required to manage it effectively. Learn more in https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/nand-flash Find more information at https://www.ibm.com/think/podcasts/techsplainers Narrated by Elly Trickett "AI tools may be used to transcribe this episode and support selected stages of the production process. All AI-assisted content is reviewed by the production team before publication."

    What is NAND flash memory?

  8. Aug 26

    What is hybrid cloud storage?

    This episode of Techsplainers explores hybrid cloud storage, the approach organizations use to manage data across both on-premises infrastructure and cloud environments. It explains why many businesses no longer treat storage as a single-location decision and instead use hybrid models to balance performance, cost, compliance and scalability. The episode walks through how hybrid cloud storage works, including storing active data locally, moving older or less frequently used information to the cloud, and using cloud environments for backup, disaster recovery and large-scale analytics. It also looks at the role of policy-based data movement, orchestration and visibility in keeping data accessible across environments without creating new silos. Listeners will hear how hybrid cloud storage supports practical use cases like archiving, resilience and modernization, while also introducing the challenges that come with it, including latency, governance and security. The discussion connects hybrid cloud storage to the broader storage series, showing how it brings together ideas around performance, protection and data placement in a more flexible architecture. Learn more in https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/hybrid-cloud-storage Find more information at https://www.ibm.com/think/podcasts/techsplainers Narrated by Elly Trickett "AI tools may be used to transcribe this episode and support selected stages of the production process. All AI-assisted content is reviewed by the production team before publication."

    What is hybrid cloud storage?
See All (216)

Ratings & Reviews

3.5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Introducing the Techsplainers by IBM podcast, your new podcast for quick, powerful takes on today’s most important AI and tech topics. Each episode brings you bite-sized learning designed to fit your day, whether you’re driving, exercising, or just curious for something new. This is just the beginning. Tune in every weekday at 6 AM ET for fresh insights, new voices, and smarter learning. Visit podcast page: https://www.ibm.com/think/podcasts/techsplainers

Information

  • Creator
    IBM
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    216
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © ibm2026
  • Show Website
    Techsplainers by IBM

You Might Also Like