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Storage Docx Section 3

This document provides information about different methods of data storage, including magnetic storage, solid state storage, and optical storage. It describes how each works and provides examples of common storage devices that use each method. The document also includes a table comparing the advantages and disadvantages of various storage devices like hard disk drives, portable HDDs, magnetic tape, memory sticks, and flash memory cards. Finally, it defines key storage concepts like sequential access, random access, and backups, and why backups are important.

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67 views3 pages

Storage Docx Section 3

This document provides information about different methods of data storage, including magnetic storage, solid state storage, and optical storage. It describes how each works and provides examples of common storage devices that use each method. The document also includes a table comparing the advantages and disadvantages of various storage devices like hard disk drives, portable HDDs, magnetic tape, memory sticks, and flash memory cards. Finally, it defines key storage concepts like sequential access, random access, and backups, and why backups are important.

Uploaded by

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© © All Rights Reserved
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Storage

Devices
In this section, fill in the information below about each method of storage. Include relevant diagrams under each
heading. Delete this red text when youre done.

Magnetic Storage
Definition/Characteristics: Devices that store data in the form of tiny dots.
How it works: With dots manipulated by (electromagnetic ) magnetic fields.
Examples of Devices/Media: Hard disk drive, magnetic tape.

Solid State
Definition/Characteristics: Storage device with no moving parts.
How it works: By reading codes on a memory stick.
Examples of Devices/Media: Memory sticks, flash memory cards.

Optical
Definition/Characteristics: A method of reading and writing data to disks using a laser.
How it works: By a laser picking up bumps on a disk when beam is shined.
Examples of Devices/Media: Cds, dvds.

Advantages and Disadvantages


Fill in the table below. Use the internet to help you. Delete this red text when youre done.
Type of Storage

Hard Disk Drive

Typical Size

Uses

Advantages

Disadvantages

From 1 to 4 TB
(Terabyte).

Retains its data


even when
powered off.

Large storage
capacity.

Hard disks fail


which stops the
computer from
working.

Stores and
retrieves data
much faster than
a floppy disk or
CD-ROM.

Crashes can
damage the
surface of the
disk, leading to
loss of data in
that sector.

From 1 to 2 TB.

More personal
backup memory.

Can store very


large amounts of
portable storage.

Expensive to
replace if any
parts are broken
or lost and wears
out fast.

Around 6 TB.

Backup.

A single magnetic
tape cartridge can
store large
amounts of data
up to 1 TB.

Special
equipment must
be purchased and
set up for
recording and
storing data. The
data can only be
read on the
special
equipment.

From 32 to 64 GB.

Portable personal
storage of files
and data.

Doesnt require
special
equipment to
read data stored
in it.

Data can be
corrupted easily
or lost.

Portable HDD

Magnetic Tape

Memory Stick

Small size and


reliability.
From 32 to 64 GB.

Flash memory
card

Storing data in
personal devices.

Doesnt require
special
equipment to
read data stored
in it.

Data can be
corrupted easily
or lost.

Small size and


reliability.

Storage Methods
Youve looked a lot at storage methods and what storage devices are used for. But you havent looked at how the
data is actually stored and accessed on a device.
Answer the following questions:
1. What is SEQUENTIAL storage/Access?
In computing, sequential access memory (SAM) is a class of data storage devices that read their data in
sequence. This is in contrast to random access memory (RAM) where data can be accessed in any order.
2. Give one storage device/media that uses the sequential method of file storage
Sequential access devices are usually a form of magnetic memory.
3. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of sequential method of file storage.

Advantages:
Economical, easy to understand
Disadvantages:
File has to be processed, time consuming in searching.
4. What is Random Access?
A type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly.
5. Give one storage device/media that uses the Random Access method of storage
Hard disks.
6. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of the Random Access method of storage
Advantages of a RAM filesystem: Silent: since there are no moving parts RAM operation is completely silent,
Power-efficient: for the same reasons, RAM uses much less power than disk drives. Reduce your CO2
emissions and extend your battery life, Fast: RAM is the fastest storage medium outside of the CPU.
Disadvantages of a RAM filesystem: Volatile: a power outage will cause irrecoverable data loss, unless there
is some power backup system like a laptop battery. * Space-limited: RAM cost per bit is high, so computers
dont include too much of it.

Backup
What is definition of Backup?
In computing the phrase backup means to copy files to a second medium (a disk or tape) as a precaution in case the
first medium fails. One of the cardinal rules in using computers is back up your files regularly.

What is the difference between Backup and Backing Storage?


A backup copy basically a secondary copy of a file you have on your computer. Backing storage would be a usb drive,
NAS or tape drive used to store your file backups.

Give two reasons why backups should be used/made


So you dont permanently lose any piece of work and in case of any ectrical power failures can be a computers
worst nightmare. Power outages or failures can destroy a computers hard drive.

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