Computer Science 2210 By Sajid Ali Imam

Data Storage
Primary Storage
 Primary storage is directly accessible by the CPU, it includes RAM, Cache, and ROM
 The purpose of Random Access Memory (RAM) is to store data, instructions and software
(including parts of the OS) currently in use
o RAM is also called main memory
o RAM has faster read/write speeds than secondary storage
o RAM is volatile which means it is temporary memory and all data will be lost when
the computer is switched off
o The larger the main memory, the more data the computer access quickly, which
can improve the computer's performance
o A standard desktop computer has between 4GB and 16GB of RAM
 The parts of the operating system currently in use will be stored in RAM
 The purpose of cache is to store frequently/recently used instructions and data
o Cache has faster read/write speeds than RAM
o There are different levels of cache
 Level 1 cache is situated within the CPU
 Level 2 and 3 cache are situated on the motherboard
o If you increase the amount of cache, you can store more frequently used data
and increase the performance of your computer
 If you have too much cache it will decrease the data access speeds because the data
requested will take longer to find
o Cache is volatile and all data will be lost when the computer is switched off

A diagram showing the parts of a computer system which are classed as primary storage
Computer Science 2210 By Sajid Ali Imam

 The role of Read-only memory (ROM) is to store the computer’s boot-up sequence
o The boot-up sequence is a set of instructions the computer executes when then
computer is initially switched on
o This sequence will run a series of checks to ensure all of the system hardware is
working
o It will then load the operating system which will move from secondary storage to RAM
 ROM is non-volatile which means data will be stored when the computer is switched off
 ROM is read-only which means data cannot be written to ROM
The difference between ROM and RAM

RAM ROM
- Volatile - Non-volatile

- Can read and write data to RAM - Read-only

Exam Tip
 Make sure you're specific about which component you're referring to in exam questions
and give the proper name e.g. RAM rather than memory unit
Worked example
Describe what is meant by main memory and how it is used in the Von Neumann model for a
computer system [3]
Answer:
Any 3 of:
 Memory is RAM [1]
 It is primary storage [1]
 It is volatile memory [1]
 It holds currently in use data/instructions [1]
 It is directly accessed by the CPU [1]
Computer Science 2210 By Sajid Ali Imam

Secondary Storage
 Secondary storage is not directly accessed by the CPU
 It is used for permanent storage of data
 Secondary storage is non-volatile. This means data is stored even when power is lost to the
device
 Secondary storage is needed as primary storage (such as RAM) is volatile and will not retain
data when the computer is turned off
 Unlike ROM, secondary storage can be read from and written to. ROM is read only
 Common examples of secondary storage include hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state
drives (SSDs), external hard drives, USB flash drives, CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs. These
can be used to store data to transfer it to another computer
 Data access speeds for secondary storage devices are typically slower than primary storage
(such as RAM)
 Secondary storage devices often have large capacity (can store large amounts of data)
 Software such as the operating system is saved permanently on secondary storage. The
instructions and data that makes up the software then moves to RAM when it is in use
 Secondary storage devices can be internal (inside the computer) and external (outside the
computer)
Computer Science 2210 By Sajid Ali Imam
Diagram showing different internal and external secondary storage devices

Comparison of primary and secondary storage

Primary storage Secondary storage

- Volatile / temporary - Non-volatile /permanent

- RAM and cache can be read from

- Secondary storage can be read from
and written to
and written to
- ROM is read-only

- Cannot be directly accessed by the

- Can be directly accessed by the CPU
CPU

- Smaller capacity - Larger capacity

- Data access speeds faster than - Data access speeds slower than
secondary storage primary storage

- Stores data and instructions - Stores data and instructions

Worked example
Which of the following is an example of secondary storage?

A Random access memory

B Read only memory
C Solid State Drive
D Blu-ray disc

 C and D [1]
 Random access memory and read only memory are both primary storage and can be
accessed directly by the CPU. Solid-state drives and blu-ray discs are classed as secondary
storage. Data can be permanently stored on them but they cannot be accessed directly by
the CPU

Exam Tip
Computer Science 2210 By Sajid Ali Imam
 When referring to a USB memory stick, don't refer to it as USB as this could be anything
that is plugged in with USB and not necessarily a storage device

Types of secondary storage

 There are three types of secondary storage - magnetic, solid state and optical

Exam Tip

 You need to be able describe the operation of each type of secondary storage. You may
also need to recommend a type of storage for a given scenario and justify your choice

Magnetic

 Magnetic hard disk drives have been the main type of internal secondary storage in
personal computers for many years however solid-state drives are increasingly popular due
to their durability, low power consumption and high read/write speeds
 A magnetic hard disk is made up of several metal discs coated with a magnetic material
o These are called platters
o Iron particles on each platter are magnetised to represent a 0 or 1

A diagram showing the structure of a magnetic hard disk

 Each platter is divided by concentric circles creating several tracks and wedge-
shaped sectors. Where they intersect is a track sector
Computer Science 2210 By Sajid Ali Imam

A diagram showing how each platter is divided by tracks and sectors

 The hard drive spins the metal disk(s) at a high speed (typically around 5400-7200 RPM)
using a motor
 A read/write arm, controlled by an actuator, moves the head over the surface of the disc
to the location of the data
 The data is read/written using electromagnets
Solid State
 Solid State secondary storage is made of transistors that are arranged in a grid layout
 It uses NAND and NOR gates in electrical circuits to persistently control the flow of
electrons
 Current flowing is 1, no current is 0 - which is how electrical flow can represent binary
values
 A NAND gate will take in two inputs and produce an output (1/electrical current) as long as
both inputs are not 1
Computer Science 2210 By Sajid Ali Imam

The truth table for a NAND gate

Input A Input B Output

0 0 1
0 1 1
1 0 1
1 1 0

 A NOR gate will produce an output (1) only when both inputs are 0

The truth table for a NOR gate

Input A Input B Output

0 0 1
0 1 0
1 0 0
1 1 0

Optical
 Optical devices include CDs, DVDs and Blu-rays
- Blu-rays have the largest capacity
- CDs have the lowest capacity
- CD-R are read-only (you cannot save data on to them)
- CD-RW can be written to and read from
- DVD-RW can be written to and read from
 All optical devices work by shining a laser at the disk and processing the reflection
 An arm moves the laser across the surface of the disk
 In CD-Rs a laser burns the data, permanently on to the disk, by creating pits and lands
 The laser is also used to read the data from the pits and lands
 When the laser light hits the point where the pit changes into a land or vice versa the light
scatters and is not reflected back as well. This is captured by a sensor and can be
interpreted as a change in the binary value
Computer Science 2210 By Sajid Ali Imam

A diagram showing how data is burnt on to optical discs to create lands and pits which can
then be used

In CD-RW the chemical composition of the disk is changed to represent 0s and 1s. This change
can be overwritten

Exam Tip

 Make sure you have a greater understanding of the operation of the different types of
storage

Worked example

Describe how a magnetic storage device stores data. [6]

Answer:

Any 6 of:

 Storage device has platters [1]

 Platters/disk divided into tracks [1]
 Storage platter/disk is spun [1]
 Has a read/write arm that moves across storage media [1]
 Read/writes data using electromagnets [1]
 Uses magnetic fields to control magnetic dots of data [1]
 Magnetic field determines binary value [1]
Computer Science 2210 By Sajid Ali Imam

Virtual Memory

 The purpose of RAM is to store current data and program instructions in use
 The amount of physical RAM available is limited. The average modern desktop computer
has between 4GB and 16GB of RAM. Some programs are larger than this
 Virtual memory is part of secondary storage which acts as RAM when RAM is full
 It prevents the computer system crashing when RAM is full
 Data that needs to be accessed by the CPU directly is switched by the operating system
from virtual memory into RAM and an inactive page from RAM replaces it in virtual
memory. This is called page switching

A diagram showing page switching between RAM and virtual memory

 The table describes the steps that are taken when a program is opened on a computer

Step Description

1  The memory manager software built into the

Operating System checks to see if there is sufficient
space in RAM to move the new program’s
instructions into RAM, so that they can be directly
accessed by the CPU

2  If RAM is full, the memory manager will move out

the most inactive pages of data and put them in
virtual memory until needed

3  The new program instructions are moved into RAM

Computer Science 2210 By Sajid Ali Imam

Worked example
Sandy is playing an open world role playing computer game set in a large 3D environment. This
requires the use of virtual memory. Explain why [3]
 To extend the RAM capacity [1]
 To stop the computer game from crashing when the physical RAM is full [1]
 To allow the computer to process the large amount of data required [1]
Cloud Storage
 Cloud storage is the concept of storing data on remote servers, that can be accessed via the
internet, instead of on a local storage device (such as an SSD or HDD)
 The physical servers, where the data is stored, are owned and managed by a hosting
company
- Cloud storage warehouses often have thousands of servers containing hard drives
- The hosting company provides services such backing up the data, managing access to
the data as well as general security
 The data can be accessed at any time, on any device, as long as there is an internet
connection
 The data is accessible using a web browser or dedicated software that connects to the
cloud storage service
 There is potentially limitless storage, although it does need to be paid for
 Online storage means it is easy to share data and collaborate with others
 If the internet connection is slow/lost the access to your data is affected
Computer Science 2210 By Sajid Ali Imam
A diagram showing different devices connecting to remote servers

Advantages of cloud storage

Cloud storage offers several advantages over storing data on a local secondary storage device

Benefit Explanation

 Data can be accessed from anywhere

 Data can be accessed by anyone with
the relevant permissions, making it quick to
share files and collaborate with others
Accessibility  Data can be accessed on any device with an
internet connection

 Cloud storage providers allow customers

to increase or decrease their storage capacity as
Scalability needed

 Cloud storage providers often use multiple

servers to store and backup data, reducing the
Reliability risk of data loss due to hardware failure

 Cloud storage providers offer advanced security

features, such as data encryption and multi-
factor authentication multi-factor
authentication, to protect user data from
Security unauthorised access
 There is no need to hire specialist staff as IT
services being provided by the cloud storage
provider

 You also do not need to purchase local secondary storage devices

 One cloud storage centre is more environmentally friendly than millions of individual
servers
 There are some drawbacks to using cloud storage
- If the user has a slow or unreliable internet connection, they would have
problems accessing their files
- If you are storing a lot of data, it can be expensive
Computer Science 2210 By Sajid Ali Imam
 You have to pay the cloud storage provider
 You may need to commit to an annual subscription
 You may have to pay for high download and upload data transfer limits

o Data being sent over the internet has the potential to be intercepted
o Security is managed by the cloud storage provider which means the user does not have
complete control over it but is still legally responsible for ensuring any personal and
sensitive data is secure

Worked example

A school currently stores all of their data on local servers. They are considering upgrading
their system to utilise cloud storage.

Explain two disadvantages to the school of storing their data in the cloud. [4]

 You need a constant internet connection [1]

 if the internet connection failed, teachers would not be able to access lesson files [1]
 if the internet connection failed, teachers would not be able to access student data/take
electronic registers [1]
 if the internet connection failed, students would not be able to access their
work/coursework [1]
 Reliant on third party to carry out security procedures [1]
 but the school is still legally responsible if data is accessed by unauthorised people [1]
 Data stored on the cloud could be hacked or intercepted [1]

Explain two advantages to the school of storing their data in the cloud. [4]

 Additional storage can be purchased if needed [1]

 The cloud hosting company provides back up [1]
 The cloud hosting company provides security [1]
 Data can be accessed from anywhere and from any device provided there is an internet
connection [1]
 So, teachers would be able to access data from home [1]
 So, students would be able to access work from home [1]
Computer Science 2210 By Sajid Ali Imam