Chapter3 - StorageDevice&Media - Notes

Chapter [3] STORAGE DEVICES AND MEDIA Notes
1-BACKING UP OF DATA: It refers to copying of files or data to a different

storage medium such as disk, tape or flash drive etc.REASONS FOR BACKING
UP:
a-To safeguard data against the loss of data due to failure of original storage
devices.
b-To safeguard data against thedamaged caused byhackers.
c-In case the files need to be used elsewhere.
d-Possibly guard the data against the effect of a virus.
2-TYPES OF ACCESS
2.1-SERIAL ACCESS:When data is stored one after the other with no regard to
the order. The required record can be found by accessing each record from
the beginning until it is found. It is slow form of data access.
USES:
a- It is primarily used on magnetic tape systems.
b-Where speed or order of access is not important such as utility billing,
clearing bank cheques or producing pay slips.
2.2-DIRECT ACCESS:It uses key field to calculate where data should be

stored. The data can be accessed directly from the calculated position. The
data is not sorted in any specific order.
USES:
a-It is used where access speed is important such as online systems (airline
booking, automatic stock control) and real time applications
(controlling a chemical plant).
b-It is used with magnetic disks, optical media and solid state media.
3-MAGENTIC STORAGE MEDIA: Magnetic material is coated on the

surface of a disk or tape that can be magnetized in such a way as to represent a 1 or
a 0.
3.1-FIXED/INTERNAL HARD DISK DRIVE (HDD): It is available on all

computers and main storage device for storing data. The surface is coated in
magnetic film. Altering the magnetic properties represents data (1s and Os).
USES:
a-To use and save the operating system, system and application softwares.
b-Used in real time systems to store data.
c-Used to store warehouse stock files and data.
d-Used in file servers for computer networks.
Advantages:
a-Fast data transfer.
b-Large memory capacity.
Disadvantages:
a-Can be easily damaged if computer is not properly shut down every time.
b-They have moving parts, which can become dysfunctional.
c-Read and write operation can be noisy as compared to SSDs.
3.2-PORTABLE HARD DISK DRIVES: These devices work the same way as
fixed hard disk drives but connected to the computer via the USB port.
USES:
a-Can be used to transfer files between two or more computers.
b-Can be used as backup system to prevent loss of data.
Advantages:
a-Data access time is very fast.
b-They have large memory capacity.
c-Can be used to transfer data between computers.
Disadvantages:
a-Can be easily damaged if dropped or expose to magnetic field.
3.3-MAGNETIC TAPES: It’s a thin strip of plastic that has been coated in a
magnetic layer. They are read and written to by a read/write head.
USES:
a-Used in batch processing (clearing bank cheques, utility billing, pay slips).
b-Used in backup media.
c-Used in long-term archiving of data.
Advantages:
a-Less expensive.
b-Robust technology.
c-Huge data storage capacity.
Disadvantages:
a-Slow data access time.
b-Can be affected by magnetic fields.
c-When updating, another tape is required.
4-OPTICAL STORAGE MEDIA

4.1-CD/DVD DISKS: These disks have thin layer of metal alloy or light sensitive
organic dye to store data. Laser light is used to read and write data on the surface
of the disk. The data is stored in ‘pits’ and ‘bumps’ on the spiral track.
CD-ROM and DVD-ROM: These are only read only memory which means
they cannot be written over and can only be read.
USES:
a-CD-ROMs are used to store music files, software, computer games.
b-DVD-ROMs have larger space and used to store movies and computer
data.
c-Both are primarily used to prevent the deletion or overwriting important
data.
Advantages:
a-Hold more data than floppy disks.
b-Less expensive than hard disks.
Disadvantages:
a-Data access rate is slower than hard disks.
CD-R and DVD-R: These disks are recordable once only, they become CD-ROM
or DVD-ROM once it has been finalized.
USES:
a-Home recordings of music and films.
b-Used to store data to be kept for later use.
Advantages:
a-Cheaper than RW disks.
b-Once burned (finalized) they are like a ROM.
Disadvantages:
a-Can only record data once, if an error is data occurs then disk has to be
discarded.
CD-RW and DVD-RW: These disks are rewriteable several times.
USES:
a-Used torecord television programs which can be recorded over time and
time again.
b-During recording if error comes, file can be deleted and can be rewritten.
c-Used in CCTV systems.
Advantages:
a-Can be written over many times.
b-Can use different formats each time it is used.
Disadvantages:
a-It is possible to accidentally overwrite data.
b-Expensive.
4.2-DVD-RAM: It uses concentric tracks and allows simultaneous read and write
operations.
USES:
a-In recording devices such as satellite receivers.
b-Used in camcorders to store movies.
Advantages:
a-They have a long life.
b-Allow more rewrite operations as compared to RW format.
c-Accurate writing operations due to built-in verification.
d-No need to finalize the disk.
e-Very large capacity.
f-It allows ability to read at the same time as data is being written.
Disadvantages:
a-Not a compatible as R or RW format, many systems won’t recognize the DVD-
RAM format.
b-Relatively expensive.
4.3-BLU-RAY DISCS: It uses a blue laser for read and write operation. The
wavelength of the laser is too small that it stores up to five time more data than
normal DVD.
USES:
a-Home video consoles.
b-Storing high definition movies.
c-Backup of hard drives.
d-Storing movie footage of camcorders.
Advantages:
a-Very large storage capacity.
b-Very fast data transfer rate.
c-Data access speed is better than other optical media.
d-They come with automatically secure encryption system.
Disadvantage:
a-Expensive.
b-Encryption problem may occur.
c-Few movie titles on blu-ray format.
5-SOLID STATE STORAGE MEDIA

5.1-SOLID STATE DRIVES: It is non-volatile rewriteable memory made up of
NAND chips. Data is stored as 0s and 1s in tiny resistors within these chips. They
have no moving parts and do not have magnetic properties as in HDD.
Advantages of SSD over HDD:
a-More reliable.
b-Light weight.
c-Do not have to get ‘up to speed’ before they work properly.
d-Lower power consumption.
e-No moving parts.
f-Runs much cooler than HDD.
g-Data access is considerably fast.
Disadvantages:
a-It is not long lasting.
b-It is not used in internet servers due to limited write operations per day.
5.2-ELECTRONICALLY ERASABLE PROGRAMMABLE READ

ONLY MEMEORIES (EEPROM): It is made up of NOR chip rather than
NAND chip. They are more expensive than NAND chip technology but allows the
data to be accessed or erased in byte-size-chunks.
5.2-MEMORY STICK/PEN DRIVES: It uses USB port of the computer to be

connected with it and draws power from the host. It can store several GBs of data
and an example of SSD.
USES:
a-Transferring files between computers and as a backup store.
b-Used as a ‘Dongle’ (security device) to prevent software piracy.
Advantages:
a-Very compact and portable media.
b-Very robust
.c-Does not need driver software.
d-Do not get affected by magnetic field.
Disadvantages:
a-Can’t write protect the data.
b-Easy to lose.c-Incorrect removal form the computer can corrupt the data.
5.3-FLASH MEMORY CARDS: These are examples of SSD and form of

EEPROM.
USES:
a-Storing photos on digital cameras.
b-Used as Mobile fone memory cards.
c-Used in MP3 players to store music cards.
d-Used as backup store in hand-held computer devices.
Advantages:
a-Very compact.
b-Plug and play.
c-Robust.
Disadvantages:
a-Expensive.
b-Low storage capacity.
c-Not long lasting.

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Chapter [3] STORAGE DEVICES AND MEDIA Notes

1-BACKING UP OF DATA: It refers to copying of files or data to a different

2.2-DIRECT ACCESS:It uses key field to calculate where data should be

3-MAGENTIC STORAGE MEDIA: Magnetic material is coated on the

3.1-FIXED/INTERNAL HARD DISK DRIVE (HDD): It is available on all

4-OPTICAL STORAGE MEDIA

CD-RW and DVD-RW: These disks are rewriteable several times.

5-SOLID STATE STORAGE MEDIA

5.2-ELECTRONICALLY ERASABLE PROGRAMMABLE READ

5.2-MEMORY STICK/PEN DRIVES: It uses USB port of the computer to be

5.3-FLASH MEMORY CARDS: These are examples of SSD and form of

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