IGCSE ICT - Unit 3: Storage Devices and Media - Summary Notes.

UNIT 3 - Storage Devices and Media

Data Storage
What is data storage? Where we store data on a computing device (write) and can retrieve it later
(read).
Computer system Input → Processing → Output → Storage
Writing data When we save data onto a computer.
Reading data When we open or use data on the computer.
Types of storage Magnetic storage → Optical storage → Solid state storage.
Temporary / permanent Temporary storage Permanent storage
data storage. • RAM stores data temporarily • Backing storage device hold data
• Data held in RAM is deleted when permanently (or until we delete)
computer loses power (volatile) • Data not deleted when computer
• Used to store data/programs we are loses power (non-volatile)
currently using. • Hard disk drives, Memory sticks etc.
Backing up data When we make a second copy of a file and store it on a different storage device.
How to backup data? You need two pieces of equipment:
• Storage device - hardware that reads/writes data to/from the medium:
o DVD drive
• Storage medium - hardware that holds the data:
o Memory stick, DVD disc, Hard disk drive etc.
Why should we backup • Original data could be deleted
data? • You could lose your memory stick
• Hackers could access the original and change it
• Computer could be destroyed in a fire.

Ways in which data is stored and read

How is data stored and There are two types of data access – serial access and direct access.
read?
Comparison of methods Serial data access Direct data access
• Also known as ‘sequential’ access • Also known as ‘random’ access
• Data is accessed in a sequence from • Computer can go directly to the bit
the start until the bit of data we of data we want
want is found • Very fast to access data
• Very slow to access data • Used on hard disk drives, optical
• Used only on magnetic tapes. media and solid state media.

Storage Capacity
Storage capacity The maximum amount of data that can be stored.

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 IGCSE ICT - Unit 3: Storage Devices and Media - Summary Notes.

Units of storage Storage unit Meaning

capacity • Bit • smallest unit of storage (either a 1 or a 0)
(smallest to largest) • Byte • 1 byte = 8 bits
• Kilobyte (KB) • 1 kilobyte = 1024 bytes
• Megabyte (MB) • 1 megabyte = 1024 kilobytes
• Gigabyte (GB) • 1 gigabyte = 1024 megabytes
• Terabyte (TB) • 1 terabyte = 1024 gigabytes
• Petabyte (PB) • 1 petabyte = 1024 terabytes
• Exabyte (EB) • 1 exabyte = 1024 petabytes

Magnetic Storage Media

What is this? Media that use a magnetized surface to hold data.
Types of magnetic Fixed hard disk drive → Portable hard disk drive → Floppy disk → Magnetic
storage tape.
Fixed hard disk drive Capacity Access Speed Cost Uses
10TB Read = Fast Expensive • Store operating system
Write = Fast • Store applications
• Store work and large files.
Advantages Disadvantages
• Very high capacity • Prone to disk crash
• Write/read data very fast. • Not portable.
Portable hard disk drive Capacity Access Speed Cost Uses
10TB Read = Fast Expensive • Store work and large files
Write = Fast • Portable backups
• Transferring files and data
between computers.
Advantages Disadvantages
• Very high capacity • Possible to lose them (or stolen)
• Read/write data very fast • Quite expensive.
• Portable
• Compatible with most computers
(USB port).
Magnetic tape Capacity Access Speed Cost Uses
185TB Read = Very slow Expensive • Backing up huge amounts
Write = Very slow of data
• Backing up school/business
networks.
Advantages Disadvantages
• Largest data capacity • Read/write data very slow
• Less expensive per TB than • Difficult to update data.
magnetic hard disk drive
• Robust (not easy to damage).
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 IGCSE ICT - Unit 3: Storage Devices and Media - Summary Notes.

Optical Storage Media

What is this? Media that use a light source to read/write data onto a disc.
Types of optical storage CD-ROM → DVD-ROM → CD-R → DVD-R → CD-RW → DVD-RW → DVD-RAM →
Blu-Ray.
CD-ROM / DVD-ROM Capacity Access Speed Cost Uses
800MB / Read = Medium Very • Distributing software
4.7GB Write = N/A cheap • Distributing music
• Distributing movies
• Distributing games.
Advantages Disadvantages
• Hold more data than floppy discs • Hold less data than hard disks
• Cheaper than hard disk drives • Read/write times slower than hard disks
• Can’t accidentally erase data • Read only and cannot update data.
• Portable.
CD-R / DVD-R Capacity Access Speed Cost Uses
700MB / Read = Medium Cheap • Creating personalized
4.7GB Write = Very slow music/movie playlists
• Home video recordings
• Backing up data.
Advantages Disadvantages
• Once burned, data cannot be • Can only record data once (updating is
accidentally deleted not possible)
• Cheaper than hard disk drives • Very slow to burn data onto the disc
• Portable. • Not all CD/DVD players can read CD-
R/DVD-R discs.
CD-RW / DVD-RW Capacity Access Speed Cost Uses
700MB / Read = Medium Fairly • CD-RW - for personalized
4.7GB Write = Medium expensive music playlists
• DVD-RW - For recording
video (CCTV, T.V etc.)
• Backing up data.
Advantages Disadvantages
• Data can be updated on the discs • More expensive than CD-R discs
may times • Possible to accidentally overwrite data
• Discs can be re-used. • Slow to add/update data on the disc.
Blu-Ray Capacity Access Speed Cost Uses
25GB / 50GB / Read = Medium Fairly • Storing high-definition data
100GB Write = Medium expensive • Storing games in consoles
(like PlayStation 3)
• Backing up larger files.

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 IGCSE ICT - Unit 3: Storage Devices and Media - Summary Notes.

Advantages Disadvantages
• Very large storage capacity • More expensive than CD-R and DVD-R
• Very fast data access/transfer. discs
• Only work in Blu-Ray drives or players.

Solid State Storage Media

What is this? Media that have no moving parts and hold data on electrical circuits.
Types of solid-state Solid state hard drives → Memory sticks → Flash memory cards → Micro flash
storage memory cards.
Solid state hard drives Capacity Access Speed Cost Uses
1TB Read = Very fast Expensive• Desktop PC’s to store
Write = Very fast data such as:
o Operating systems
o Applications
o Work, games etc.
Advantages Disadvantages
• Don’t break as easy as hard disk • Smaller storage capacity than hard disk
drives (no moving parts) drives
• Faster data access than CD/DVD’s • More expensive than other storage
• Use less power media.
• Larger storage capacity than
CD/DVD’s
• Run silently.
Memory stick Capacity Access Speed Cost Uses
512GB Read = Very fast Fairly • Transferring data
Write = Very fast expensive between desktop PC’s
and laptops
• Backing up data.
Advantages Disadvantages
• Very portable (small) • Possible to accidentally overwrite data
• Robust and not easy to damage • Small size makes them easy to lose
• Compatible in most computers • More expensive per GB than magnetic
• Larger storage capacity than hard disk drives
CD/DVD’s. • Lower storage capacity than hard disks.
Memory cards - Secure Capacity Access Speed Cost Uses
Digital (SD) and Micro 32GB / Read = Very fast Fairly cheap • Store photos, sound,
Secure Digital (Micro 1.5TB Write = Very fast video on digital cameras
SD) • Store music on mp3
players
• Mobile phone data
storage.

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 IGCSE ICT - Unit 3: Storage Devices and Media - Summary Notes.

Advantages Disadvantages
• Very small and portable • More expensive per GB than hard disk
• Robust and not easy to damage drives
(no moving parts) • Lower storage capacity than hard disk
• Work in most mobile devices. drives
• Small size makes them easy to lose
• PC’s can’t always read memory cards.
Memory cards - Capacity Access Speed Cost Uses
eXtreme Digital (xD) Up to 2GB Read = Medium Expensive • Store pictures, sounds
picture card Write = Medium and video on digital
cameras
Advantages Disadvantages
• None (obsolete and not used • Low storage capacity (2GB)
anymore) • More expensive than other cards
• Slow data access speed than other cards
CFast (Compact Fast) Capacity Access Speed Cost Uses
card 512GB Read = Very fast Expensive • Store photos, sound,
Write = Very fast video on professional
digital cameras that
capture high-quality
footage (requires high
speed)
Advantages Disadvantages
• Store more data than xD picture • Expensive compared to other forms of
cards solid-state storage devices
• Have very fast data access speed

Comparison of Storage Media

How can storage media • Capacity (amount of data that can be stored)
be compared? • Speed of data access
• Portability
• Cost.
Comparing storage
capacity

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 IGCSE ICT - Unit 3: Storage Devices and Media - Summary Notes.

Comparing data access

speeds

Comparing portability

Comparing cost

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