Which type of storage architecture allows for greater flexibility and independence among nodes?

Loose coupling is a storage architecture that provides greater flexibility and independence among nodes. In a loosely coupled system, each node or component functions independently, allowing for easier scalability and better fault tolerance. This architecture permits nodes to be added or removed without significantly affecting the overall system, making it possible to manage and allocate resources dynamically based on current needs.

In contrast, tightly coupled systems have components that are more interdependent, which can limit scalability and flexibility. Changes or failures in one node can have a cascading effect on others, making maintenance and upgrades more challenging. Clustered storage typically involves nodes working closely together to achieve high availability and redundancy but may lack the independence desired for flexible management. Converged storage combines storage, networking, and compute resources but does not inherently provide the same level of node independence as a loosely coupled architecture.

Thus, the key characteristic of loose coupling is its capability to enable greater flexibility and independence among storage nodes.