CHAPTER 3 NOTES

Storage Media and Devices

What is backing up of data?

• Backing up refers to the copying of files or data into a different
medium incase damage to or loss of original copy.

Why do we back up data?

• To safeguard against loss of data.
• To safeguard against damages caused by hackers.
• In case files need to be sent elsewhere, to protect original format of
files.

Storage Media – is the hardware device on which data is actually stored

(i.e: CD or DVD)
Storage Device – is the hardware used to read from or write to the media
(i.e: CD/DVD reader or writer)

Data Access Types

Serial access:
• This involves starting from the beginning of the file and accessing
each record to get to the file required.
• It is a very slow form of data access.
• Used where speed isn’t vital.
• Examples where serial access is used:
o utility billing
o clearing of bank cheques
o producing pay slips

Direct access:
• This is used to access data stored in any record by typing in the
required key field.
• Typing in a key field will allow the user to access a particular record
directly from the calculated position.
• Much faster data access speed.
 Magnetic Backing Storage Media
• Holds data magnetically.
• Surface area of the media are magnetized so that they can hold bits
of data.
• The device that reads media can also read the bits held on the
surface area

Magnetic tape drives

Uses:
• used in application where batch processing is used.
• used as a backup media where vast amounts of data needs to be
stored.
• used in long-term archiving of data, they have huge data storage
capacities and are known to be very stable.

Advantages:
• They are generally less expensive than hard disk drives.
• It is a very robust technology.
• They have a huge data storage capacity.
• The data transfer rate is fast.

Disadvantages:
• Very slow data access times (uses serial access).
• When updating, another tape is needed to store the final updated
version.
• They are affected by magnetic fields, a strong field can corrupt data
stored on the tape.

Fixed Hard Disks/Drives

Uses:
• To store the OS, systems software and working data/files.
• Storing applications files.
• Used in real-time systems and in online systems.
• Used in file servers for computer networks.
Advantages:
• They have a very fast data transfer rate and fast access times to
data.
• They have a very large memory capacities.

Disadvantages:
• Can be fairly easily damaged.
• They have many moving parts which affect overall reliability.
• Their read/write operation can be quite noisy when compared to
solid-state drives.

Portable Hard Disk Drives

Uses:
• Can be used as backup systems to prevent data loss.
• Can be used to transfer data/files/software between computers.

Advantages:
• Data access time and data transfer rate are very fast.
• Have a very large memory capacity.
• Can be used as a method of transferring information between
computers.

Disadvantages:
• They can be easily damaged if user accidently drops it or doesn’t
correctly shut down the drive after use.
• Data transfer rate is not as fast as for fixed hard disk drives.
 Optical Backing Storage Media
• Holds data by burning ‘dots’ onto the surface with a high powered
laser.
• The data that reads the media and can read the data by shining a
lower powered laser over the dots.

CD-R/DVD-R

Uses:
• Home recordings of music and (CD-R) and films (CD-R).
• Used to store data to be kept for later use to be transferred to another
computer.

Advantages:
• Cheaper medium than RW disks.
• Once burned (and finalized) they behave like a ROM.

Disadvantages:
• Can only be recorded once; if an error occurs then the disk has to be
thrown away.
• Not all CD/DVD players can read CD-R/DVD-R.

CD-RW/DVD-RW

Uses:
• Used to record television programs which can be recorded over, time
and time again.
• Used in CCTV systems.
• Can be used as a backup device for files and data.

Advantages:
• Can be written over many times.
• Can use different file formats each time it is used.
• Not as wasteful as R format because the files/data can be added at a
later stage.
Disadvantages:
• Can be relatively expensive media.
• Possible to accidently overwrite data.

CD-ROM/DVD-ROM

Uses:
• These are read-only memory (ROM) which means they can’t be
written over and can only be read. Permanent storage method.
• CD-ROM is used to store music files and to store software, computer
games and reference software.
• DVD-ROM has much larger storage and is used to store films.
• Used in applications where there is a real need to prevent deletion or
overwriting of important data.

Advantages:
• They are less expensive than hard disk drive systems.
• Very portable as they are small and light.
• Data stored on them is read-only, so it cannot be accidently
overwritten.

Disadvantages:
• Hold far less data than hard disk drives or memory sticks.
• Very slow data transfer rate and data access times, as compared to
hard disk drives.
• You cannot add your own files to the disks because they are both
read only.

Blu-Ray discs
The main differences between DVD and Blu-ray are:
• Blu-way uses a blue laser rather than a red laser. (wavelength of blue
light is 405nm, much smaller than the 650nm red laser) This allows
pits and lands to be much smaller so they store five times more data
than DVDs.
• Blu-ray disks automatically come with a secure encryption system
which helps to prevent piracy and copyright infringement.
• The data transfer rate for a DVD is 10 Mbps and for a Blu-ray disc it is
36 Mbps.
Uses:
• Home video consoles.
• Storing and playing back movies.
• Computers can use this technology for data storage or backing hard
drives.
• Camcorders can use this media to store movies.

Advantages:
• Very large storage capacity.
• Very fast data transfer rate.
• The data access speed is also greater than with other optical media.
• Blu-ray discs automatically come with a secure encryption system.

Disadvantages:
• Relatively expensive discs.
• encryption problems when used to store videos.
• Introduction of HD (high definition) DVD players has reduced the
advantages of using Blu-ray technology.
 Solid State Backing Storage
• Holds data on devices that don’t have any moving devices.

Solid-state drives (SSD)

Uses:
• storage device to store files, applications, OSs, and so on.

Advantages:
• They are more reliable as they have no moving parts.
• They are considerably lighter, suitable for laptops.
• They do not have to ‘get up to speed’ before they work properly.
• They have a lower power consumptions.
• They run much cooler than HDDs.
• Because of no moving parts, they are very thin.
• SSD data access time is only 0.1 milliseconds compared to 10
milliseconds for HDD.
• Data transfer speed for SSDs is also much faster than for HDDs.

Disadvantages:
• SSD endurance - SSDs are conservatively rated at only 20GB write
operations per day over a three-day period.
• More expensive than magnetic hard disks.
• Smaller storage capacity than magnetic hard disks.

Pen drives (Memory sticks)

Uses:
• Transporting files between computers or using as a backing store.
• Used as a security device to prevent software piracy (known as a
dongle).

Advantages:
• Very compact and portable media.
• Very robust.
• Does not need additional software to work on most computers.
• They are not affected by magnetic fields.
Disadvantages:
• Cannot write protect the data/files by making it ‘read-only’.
• Easy to lose (due to the small physical size).
• The user needs to be very careful when removing a memory stick
from a computer - incorrect removal will corrupt the data on the
memory stick and make it useless.

Flash Memory cards

Different types of memory cards:
» SD cards (secure digital card)
» XD cards (extreme digital card)
» CFast card (compactfast card).

Uses:
• Storing photos on digital cameras.
• Used as mobile phone memory cards.
• Used in MP3 players to store music files.
• Used as a backing store in hand-held computer devices.

Advantages:
• Very compact.
• Because of no moving parts, they are very durable.
• They can hold large amounts of data.
• Compact cameras and smartphones are able to read and write
memory cards allow the user to transport large collections of
photographs, songs etc.

Disadvantages:
• Expensive per gigabyte of memory when compared to HDDs.
• Have a lower storage capacity than hard disks.
• Have a finite life regarding number of times they can be read from or
written to.
• Memory cards, specifically the micro SD card, are the smallest
storage devices available; this means they are more likely to be lost,
stolen or damaged.
• Users will often be required to purchase a card reader or USB
converter to view the data.