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Chapter 3

There are three main types of computer storage media: magnetic, optical, and solid-state. Magnetic storage uses magnetic materials to store data by changing the polarity of local areas to represent binary digits. Common examples are hard disk drives and magnetic tapes. Optical storage uses lasers to write and read data stored on reflective surfaces, with common examples being CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs. Solid-state storage has no moving parts and uses flash memory, with memory sticks and memory cards being examples. Each type of storage has advantages and disadvantages in terms of storage capacity, data access speed, portability, robustness, and cost.

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Catherine Dharshini Labrooy
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25 views

Chapter 3

There are three main types of computer storage media: magnetic, optical, and solid-state. Magnetic storage uses magnetic materials to store data by changing the polarity of local areas to represent binary digits. Common examples are hard disk drives and magnetic tapes. Optical storage uses lasers to write and read data stored on reflective surfaces, with common examples being CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs. Solid-state storage has no moving parts and uses flash memory, with memory sticks and memory cards being examples. Each type of storage has advantages and disadvantages in terms of storage capacity, data access speed, portability, robustness, and cost.

Uploaded by

Catherine Dharshini Labrooy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Storage devices and media

Computer storage

• Computer data storage, often called storage or


memory, is a technology consisting of computer
components and recording media that are used to
retain digital data. It is a core function and fundamental
component of computers.
• Storage is frequently used to describe the devices and
data connected to the computer through input/output
(I/O) operations
Overview
1. Storage medium
• Part that holds data (information ie. pictures, documents-stored as 0 or 1)
• Exp: CD RW Disk (medium)

2. Storage device Medium


• Machine that lets you store data on medium and read data from it
• Peripheral devices to main computer
• Exp : CD RW drive (machine)

Device
Storage devices and media
1. There are 3 types of storage device (each stores data in a different way)

a) Magnetic storage media


• Store data magnetically

b) Optical storage media


• Store media on their surface

c) Solid-state media
• No moving parts, based on electric circuits and flash memory
Magnetic storage media
1. Surface of media made of magnetic material
2. Data is written by changing local magnetic polarity to represent 0 or 1
3. Magnetic device can read and extract 1s and 0s to retrieve data
4. Examples:
a) Fixed hard disks and drives
b) Portable and removable hard disk
c) Magnetic tape drives and tape
Fixed hard disks and drives
• Main storage in most personal computers
• Fixed into its drive inside drive
• Known as hard disk or hard drive
• Each disk has read/writer head – write data & read it

Advantages Disadvantages
Can store large amounts of fragile
data
Access to the data is fast Stored inside computers case
Can be reused Data should be backed up
Fixed hard disks and drives
• Types of data stored
1. Operating system – windows, linux, ios
2. User’s applications – google chrome, adobe, dropbox
3. User’s data – downloads, videos, music, photos, work (word file)

• Data is stored on hard disk & sent to RAM when they need to be used
• It has direct access to data – data is organised so that there is no need to go
through whole disk to find one file. This is necessary for quick access

*RAM -Random-access memory is a form of computer data storage which stores frequently used program instructions to increase the general speed of a system
Portable and removable hard disk
• Similar to hard disk but not connected inside computer case
• They are connected via USB
• Can easily connect to store data
• Removable and portable
• Need to be protected by casings
• Cost more
• Useful to make backup data of a system
• Advantages – no need for power source, portable, can be used for file sharing by multiple
pcs, scheduled backup of files, allows quick archiving of data
• Disadvantages – after formatting do not switch between operating systems (Macs and
PCs)

*USB- Universal Serial Bus developed in the mid-1990s that defines the cables, connectors
Magnetic tape drives and tape
• Stores data in long line of tape (magnetic tape)
• Magnetic tape drive – drives tape around the read/writes heads
• Difficult to search for data – data at end of tape will take longer to get
• Serial storage – data is stored one piece after the other (not arranged)
• Sequential storage data is arranged – alphabetically, numbered or groups
• Magnetic tapes are used to store large amounts of important data
• Speed of access not important
• Cheaper
• Exp : data for customers utility bills
Optical storage media
• CD (compact disk) –limited storage, ideal for music files
• DVD (digital versatile disk)- can hold more data than cd, movies
• Both use laser to read & write data but DVD uses more precise laser
• Blu-ray – much larger storage, can perform high speed transfers, can play high
definition video, but costly
• Types of CDs and DVDs
1. ROM (read only memory) –cannot be written, only read from
2. R (recordable) – can be written and read once
3. RW (re-writable) – can be written multiple times
Different types of optical storage media
1. CD ROMs & DVD ROMs
• Suitable to sell music, software, movies
• Advantage : Robust to store large data, cheap cost, Protects data
• Disadvantage : unable to be reused (single use)

2. CD Rs & DVD Rs
• Used to make copies of important data
• Advantage – material is protected
• Disadvantage – can only be written once, data cannot be changed

3. CD RWs & DVD RWs


• Ideal for file exchange and backups
• Advantage – robust, portable, can hold a lot of data, can be rewritten

4. DVD RAM
• Similar to DVD RW but data is stored diffenrently on surface
• Advantage – can be rewritten often, data access fast, can read and write simultaneously, greater capacity
• Disadvantage – expensive, cannot be used in ordinary DVD player

5. Blu-Ray
Solid state storage
• No moving parts = robustness
• Similar technology to RAM but don’t need electricity
• Small and portable
• Disadvantages – expensive and short lifespan
• Examples
• Memory sticks/pen drives
• small storage device with large storage space
• Flash memory cards
• fits in device slots, used in small electronic devices (cameras)
• Advantages- data not loss if power fails, free from mechanical damage, small compact and portable,
little power, many sizes, can be used in different devices,
• Disadvantage – break easily, lost, electronic corruption
Advantages & disadvantages
Robustness Cost
Device Storage Capacity Data speed Portability

Fixed hard disks VERY LARGE FAST LOW FRAGILE EXPENSIVE

Portable hard
disks
Magnetic tapes
Pen drives
Flash memory
cards
Blu-ray
CD
HD DVD
DVD ROM
DVD R
DVD RW
DVD RAM
Pg 40 Exam questions

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