IO Operations Per Second (IOPS)

IOPS, or Input/Output Operations Per Second, measures how many read and write actions a storage device (like a hard drive or SSD) can perform each second. It reflects the device’s performance and responsiveness—higher IOPS mean quicker access to data and smoother operation, especially during intensive tasks. For example, a higher IOPS score is beneficial for servers handling many simultaneous requests, while consumer devices like laptops may prioritize overall speed. In essence, IOPS is a key metric for understanding a storage system’s ability to handle data transactions efficiently.