Storage devices and media

Key objectives
The objectives of this chapter are to revise:
● storage devices
− magnetic (hard disk drive and magnetic tape drive)
− optical (CD, DVD and Blu-ray read/write devices)
− solid state (solid-state drive, pen drive and flash drive)
● storage media
− magnetic media (magnetic disks and magnetic tape)
− optical (CD, DVD and Blu-ray discs)
− solid state (including SD, XD and CFast cards)

Secondary storage includes all non-volatile storage devices that are not
part of primary memory. The storage capacity of these devices is much
larger than RAM or ROM (primary memory), but data access time is much
longer. Operating systems, applications, photos, device drivers and other
files/data are all stored on these secondary storage devices. There are
three types of technology used by secondary storage devices:
● magnetic ● optical ● solid state

3.1 Magnetic media and magnetic

storage devices
Magnetic media rely on the property that certain materials have magnetic
properties (such as iron oxide) and these properties can be used to store Tip
data (1s and 0s). Magnetic media are a type of permanent storage unless It is important to
they are overwritten or deleted by the system or the user. remember that storage
Two common magnetic devices are the magnetic tape drive and the hard medium refers to the
disk drive (HDD). physical device on which
the data is actually
stored (e.g. a CD) and a
3.1.1 Magnetic tape drives storage device refers
Magnetic tape drives consist of reels of plastic tape coated in a magnetic to the hardware used to
oxide layer (e.g. iron oxide). The data stored, the 1s and 0s, have different read data from or write
magnetic signatures, which allow a read/write head to read and write data to the medium (e.g.
data. The tape moves over the read/write head; this is basically a tiny, CD reader/writer).
induced magnet that can magnetise the tape (to write data) or become
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‘excited’ when magnetised tape passes over it (to read data).

Magnetic tapes have huge storage capacity, but data access time is very
slow since the tape must fast forward or backward until the required data
is found. The uses of magnetic tapes include:
● in batch processing (e.g. production of utility bills and wage slips in
large numbers overnight)
● as backups of data for long-term storage/archiving (magnetic tape is
very stable over a long period of time)
● for daily backups in companies that handle large amounts of data (e.g.
updating customer’s bank accounts).

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3 Storage devices and media

The following table shows some of the advantages and disadvantages of Tip
magnetic tapes:
Data access time is the
Advantages Disadvantages time it takes to find data;
● Less expensive (per byte) than hard ● Have a very slow data access time data transfer rate is the
disk drives or solid-state drives ● Updating data requires a new tape time it takes to transfer
● A very robust technology to be produced; it is not possible to data from a device to
● Vast storage capacity simply write over the original data – the computer (and vice
● Very good data transfer rate this introduces errors and is a slow versa).
process
● They are affected by magnetic fields

3.1.2 Hard disk drives

Hard disk drives (HDDs) are one of the most common methods to store
data on a computer. Data is stored on disk surfaces (called platters)
that are coated in a magnetic material. The platters can be made from
aluminium, glass or ceramic coated in iron oxide, and a typical disk drive
has several platters. Read/write heads (containing tiny magnets) hover
close to each disk surface on an air cushion to allow data to be written
or read.
Actuators are used to move the read/write heads, which move back and
forth across the disk surfaces as the disks spin very fast. There are two
read/write heads per platter (one for each surface). Data is stored in
concentric circles (called tracks); these are broken up into sectors. These
sectors are mapped using a file allocation table (FAT) that shows which
sectors are free and which contain data.
Magnetic disk drives suffer from latency (the time taken for a specific
block of data on a track to rotate round to the read/write head).
The uses of HDDs include:
● to store operating systems, systems software, apps and data (such as
photos and music)
● as website servers and file servers on networks used in real-time
systems (such as airline bookings or booking cinema/theatre tickets).
The following table shows some of the advantages and disadvantages of
HDDs:
Advantages Disadvantages
● Very fast data transfer rates ● Have a slow data access time and suffer
● Very large storage capacities from latency
● Tried and trusted technology, ● Fairly easily damaged
which makes them suitable for ● Have many moving parts that can wear
website and cloud servers out and fail leading to data loss
● They are affected by magnetic fields
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● They tend to be fairly noisy due to high-

speed spinning disks

3.1.3 Portable hard disk drives

Portable hard disk drives work in the same way as fixed HDD devices;
they have the same advantages and disadvantages. Their main use is
backing up data and to allow data to be transferred between computers.

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3.2 Optical media and optical storage devices

3.2 Optical media and optical storage devices

Optical media devices use lasers to read and write data onto plastic
(polycarbonate) disks. The media (disks) rely on the optical properties of
certain chemical dyes and metal alloys to enable the storage of 1s and 0s.
The most common types of optical storage devices include:
● CDs and DVDs
● Blu-ray discs.

3.2.1 CD and DVD optical disks

CDs and DVDs can be designated as ‘R’ (write once), ‘RW’ (read/write many
times) and ROM’ (read-only). All disks have a thin coating of alloy or light
sensitive organic dye on at least one surface. Laser light alters the optical
properties when writing data. As the disk spins, an optical read/write head
moves to the start of the track and a narrow laser beam follows a spiral
track from the centre moving outwards.
CDs and DVDs are split up into sectors and allow for direct access to data.
The data is stored on the surface in pits (low points) and lands (high
points) – these pits and lands are created when laser light writes data to
the disk surface. Both CDs and DVDs use red lasers which read the pits and
lands and convert the stored data into a binary format. The wavelength
of the reflected laser light is slightly different to the original wavelength
(due to the pits and lands) causing destructive interference – this allows
the pits and lands to be read.
DVDs have dual-layering (two polycarbonate disks are sandwiched
together), which increases their storage capacity (two recording surfaces
are created).
The following table compares the uses, advantages and disadvantages of
the different types of CD and DVD.
CD/DVD ‘R’ CD/DVD ‘RW’ CD/DVD ‘ROM’
Uses ● Home recordings of ● Used to record TV ● Permanent storage for supply
music (CD-R) and programmes over and of computer games, music and
movies (DVD-R) over again software
● Transfer of data between ● Used in closed-circuit ● Supplying movies on ROM
computers television (CCTV) format can prevent copying
because the disks can be
reused
● Backup for files
Advantages ● Cheaper than RW disks ● Can go through ● Data is permanently stored – a
● Once burned and several read and write big advantage when used for
finalised, they become operations movies, games and software
ROMs ● Can use different file (stops data being overwritten
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formats each time the in error)

disk is written to ● Less expensive than HDD
● Not as wasteful as R systems
format
Disadvantages ● Can only record once; if ● Relatively expensive ● Data transfer rate is slower
an error occurs, the disk format than HDD or SSD
has to be discarded ● It is possible to ● It isn’t possible to change data
● Not all CD/DVD players accidentally overwrite
can read CD-R and data
DVD-R formats

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3 Storage devices and media

3.2.2 Blu-ray discs

Blu-ray discs are an optical medium that use blue laser light. This
light has a shorter wavelength than red laser light, thus increasing
the storage capacity when compared to DVDs. They come with built-in
secure encryption systems that help to prevent piracy and copyright
infringements.
Blu-ray allows greater interactivity than DVDs, for example they allow the
user to create playlists, reorder programmes stored, access websites and
download subtitles/artwork. They have a much greater data transfer rate
than DVDs (at least four times faster), which means they are well-suited to
playback of High Definition (HD) or 4 K/8 K formats. The storage capacity
is at least five times that of the equivalent DVD.
The following table compares the uses and advantages and disadvantages
of Blu-ray discs.
Uses of Blu-ray discs Advantages of Blu-ray discs Disadvantages of Blu-ray discs
Storing high definition/4 K/8 Very large storage capacity More expensive than DVD formats
K movies
Very fast data transfer rates Introduction of new DVDs using an HD format
Used as secondary storage has eroded some of the advantages of Blu-
Very good data access times
or for backing up data ray
Have data encryption built-in for
Used in some camcorders
security of data

Comparison of CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs

Wavelength of laser Track pitch (distance
Disk type Laser colour light Disk construction between tracks)
CD Red 780 nm Single 1.2 mm 1.60 µm
polycarbonate layer
DVD (dual-layer) Red 650 nm Two 0.6 mm 0.74 µm
polycarbonate layers
Blu-ray (single-layer) Blue 405 nm Single 1.2 mm 0.30 µm
polycarbonate layer
Blu-ray (dual-layer) Blue 405 nm Two 0.6 mm 0.30 µm
polycarbonate layers

(Note: nm = 10-9 metres; µm = 10-6 metres) (Note: Blu-ray can currently go up to six-layer
technology, but this is outside the scope of this book.)

3.3 Solid-state media and solid-state storage

devices
Solid-state technology does not rely on magnetic or optical properties.
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They make use of the ability to control the movement of electrons

across transistors and have no moving parts. By controlling electron
movement, it is possible to create and read 1s and 0s in a massive grid
in a very tiny space. They are often referred to as flash memories or
flash drives.
Due to the technology used, solid-state devices do not suffer from latency,
unlike HDDs. SSDs are also non-volatile, rewritable storage media.

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3.3 Solid-state media and solid-state storage devices

3.3.1 Floating gate and control gate transistors

As they have no moving parts, solid-state devices can operate at speeds
much greater than HDDs or optical disk drives. However, they still operate
at speeds that are slower than RAM.
SSDs make use of floating gate transistors and control gate transistors
(the transistors use CMOS and NAND technology). Solid-state memories
make use of a grid; at each intersection of the grid there is a floating gate
CMOS means
transistor and a control gate transistor. When current reaches the control complementary metal
gate, electrons flow to the floating gate creating a positive charge; by oxide semi-conductor
applying exact voltages to the transistors, a pattern of 1s and 0s can be and NAND refers to a
created. type of logic gate.
control gate
dielectric
floating gate coating (insulation)
tunnel oxide coating electron source
(allows electrons substrate
through)

After 12 months or so, this charge can leak away, therefore solid-state
devices should be used once a year (at least) to ensure they retain their
memory contents.

3.3.2 Solid-state drives

Solid-state technology is used to create secondary storage devices known
as solid-state drives (SSDs). The following table summarises the uses,
advantages and disadvantages of SSDs:
Uses of solid-state drives Advantages of solid-state drives Disadvantages of solid-state drives
● SSDs have largely ● No moving parts – less likely to ● SSD endurance/longevity is still an
replaced HDDs as the malfunction than HDDs issue (but this situation continues to
main type of backing ● Much lighter in weight improve)
storage ● Don’t need to ‘get up to speed’ before ● The memory chips in SSDs have a
● Used in laptops and read/write operations limited number of write cycles – this
tablets where their ● Have very low power consumption and can lead to unrecoverable data loss
small size makes them so generate much less heat than HDDs ● If the controller chip, memory cache
very suitable as the ● Very thin since they only contain tiny or one of the NAND memory chips
main storage transistors are damaged, it may be impossible
● Very fast data transfer speeds (about to recover the data
100 times faster than HDDs) ● They are more expensive to buy (per
● Don’t suffer from latency since there are GB) than HDDs
no moving parts ● Although data access is very fast,
● Allow for permanent deletion of data the rewriting of data can be slower
(when writing over or deleting data on than HDDs as SSDs need to delete
SSDs, the old data is destroyed unlike old data first before writing the new
in HDDs where the data can still be data
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recovered) – this is a very important

‘end-of-life’ security consideration

3.3.3 Pen drives

Pen drives (memory sticks) are small solid-state storage devices that
connect to a computer via a USB port. They are another example of a
flash drive/memory. They are known as pen drives or memory sticks. The
following table compares the uses and advantages and disadvantages of
pen drives.

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3 Storage devices and media

Uses of pen drives Advantages of pen drives Disadvantages of pen drives

● Back up files/data such ● Very compact and portable storage ● Longevity is still an issue (but this
as photos and music device (e.g. can be kept on a key ring) situation continues to improve)
● Transport files/data ● Very robust device (no moving parts) ● It isn’t possible to write-protect
between computers ● Don’t need additional software to work data; care must be taken not to
● A security device (e.g. ● Not affected by magnetic fields overwrite data accidentally
containing essential files ● Plug straight into a USB port ● Easy to lose due to small size
to make software work) ● Don’t need much current to operate ● Care needed when removing
– called a ‘dongle’ when ● Allow for permanent deletion of data device from computer (follow the
used in this way ● Very good data transfer rates correct removal procedure or data
● When battery-powered, corruption or data loss can occur)
SSDs can be used as ● If the device internals become
portable media (MP3) damaged, it may be impossible to
players recover lost data

3.3.4 Memory cards

Memory cards use solid-state technology. There are three common types:
● SD cards (Secure Digital card): very small, used primarily where high
capacity is needed (e.g. digital video recorders/cameras, smartphones,
tablets and drones).
● XD cards (eXtreme Digital card): a type of removable memory card
designed for use in digital cameras.
● CFast card (Compact Fast card): a memory card used in very small
devices (e.g. used as a removable memory in high-end digital cameras).
Uses of memory cards Advantages of memory cards Disadvantages of memory cards
● Store photos on digital ● Very compact – can be used in ● Expensive per GB compared to HDDs
cameras small portable devices (such as a ● Much lower storage than other types of
● In mobile phones to camera) portable storage device
extend memory ● No moving parts: very durable ● Have a finite number of read/write
● In MP3 players to store ● Makes it easy to transfer photos cycles
music between devices ● Easy to lose or be stolen due to small
● A backing store in hand- ● Relatively large memory capacities size
held devices ● Not all computers/devices have
memory card readers

3.4 The future of storage devices

Flash memory is fast becoming the most common device for storage and
for transferring data between devices. However, these days, data/files are
now stored on remote cloud servers. Music and movies are often streamed
straight from the internet, thus there is no need to store the music or
movies on a computer. Many televisions are now smart televisions and
programmes can be streamed on demand, meaning DVD and Blu-ray
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players are no longer needed.

Sample questions and responses

a) Name three types of media used in secondary storage
devices. [3 marks]
b) A current secondary storage medium has enabled the development of
items such as smartphones, tablets and very thin laptop computers.
i) Name this medium.
ii) Explain why this medium has allowed development of
smartphones, tablets and thin laptop computers. [4 marks]

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3.4 The future of storage devices

Sample high-level answer Tips

a) magnetic (disks and tape), optical (CD/DVD/Blu-ray) and solid state. In (b) four marks are
b) i) solid-state awarded for naming the
ii) solid-state devices have the following features: medium; this means no
– they are very thin real detail is required
– they have low power consumption and run very cool and you can be as brief
as possible. However,
– they are lightweight
part (b)(ii) requires an
– they have no moving parts and are very reliable
explanation, so you
– they have a very fast data transfer rate need to mention the
– data can be permanently deleted. advantages and features
All of the above features allow for smaller and smaller devices to be of the technology that
developed, since they don’t take up much space and allow more components allowed it to be used in
to be crammed into small spaces. the development of the
named devices in the
question.
Sample low-level answer
a) Hard disk drive (HDD), CD/DVD writer/reader and solid-state drive (SSD).
b) i) SSD
ii) low power consumption, big capacity and low weight.

Teacher’s comments
The first answer shows a clear understanding of the difference between
medium and device and has given more than enough in part (b)(ii) to gain
maximum marks.
The second answer gets no marks since they have confused medium with
device in all cases – very unfortunate since they obviously knew the
technologies. It highlights the importance of reading the question carefully
and making sure you answer the question accurately. Part (b)(i) again names
a device and not the medium. But some leeway could be exercised in part
(b)(ii) since they obviously knew the question referred to solid state – two
marks are possible (‘big capacity’ is just too vague to be worth any marks).

Exam-style questions for you to try

1 Tick (✓) whether the following devices use magnetic, optical or solid-
state technology:
Magnetic Optical Solid state
Blu-ray reader/writer player
Portable hard disk drive
Flash drive
CFast card
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DVD-RW drive
Pen drive
[6]
2 a Blu-ray and DVD are two types of disk that use optical
technology.
i Describe three differences between Blu-ray and DVD. [3]
ii Give one application that uses Blu-ray and one application
that uses DVD-RW. [2]
b Hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs) are
used in many computers.
i Describe three differences between HDDs and SSDs. [3]
ii Explain why SSDs are gradually leading to the phasing
out of HDDs. [2]

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3 Storage devices and media

3 Indicate whether the following ten statements are True or False by

placing a tick (✓) in the appropriate box.

Statements True (✓) False (✓)

SSDs suffer from high latency due to the time it

takes for disks to spin round to the read/write head
Blu-ray discs only allow data to be read
Platters in an HDD can be recorded on both the
bottom and top surfaces
The data transfer rate is the time it takes to locate
data on an HDD
Both DVDs and Blu-ray discs use dual-layer
technology
SSDs have a shorter working life than the
equivalent HDDs
One advantage of flash drives is that old data can
be permanently deleted
CD-RW can act as a ROM
Solid-state drives have many complex moving
parts that makes them wear out quickly
Blu-ray discs use laser light with a shorter
wavelength than DVDs [10]
4 Complete the following sentences by writing the correct missing
term or phrase.
a Solid-state devices use a …………………… and a …………………… at
the intersection of a grid of transistors; by applying an exact
…………………… a pattern of …………………… can be created. [4]
b Blu-ray discs use …………………… light to read and write data;
both DVDs and Blu-ray discs use …………………… to increase
their storage capacity; …………………… have built-in secure
encryption. [3]
c Hard disk drives contain a number of …………………… which can be
made from ……………………; each disk surface has a ……………………
head that floats on a cushion of air; HDDs suffer from
…………………… due to the relatively long time it takes data to be
read waiting for the disk to rotate round to the read/write head. [4]
5 Explain why optical disks are slowly being phased out. In your
answer, give a justification for each statement you make and
indicate why they are being phased out. [4]
6 A student was looking at a laptop made in 2012 and was
comparing it to one made in 2022. They noticed the 2012 laptop
was much thicker and heavier than the 2022 model. They also
noticed that the 2012 model had a DVD/CD player/writer in a side
drawer, a touchpad and four USB connectors. However, the 2022
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model had only one USB-C connector, no touchpad and no external

devices, such as a DVD reader/writer.
Explain the advances in technology between the 2012 laptop and
the 2022 laptop. [5]

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