Ch.

4: Storage Devices Theory Notes

Chapter 4
Storage Devices

Eng. Omar El Safty Eng. Mustafa El-Komy

Ch.4: Storage Devices Theory Notes

4.1 Main memory

Recall the differences between RAM and ROM:

RAM ROM

Volatile memory Non-volatile memory

Temporary memory device Permanent memory device

Can be written to and read from Can only be read from but not written to

Used to store data, programs or parts of the Stores the start-up instructions when the
operating system that are currently in use computer is first switched on

Tends to have greater storage capacity

Main Memory can be referred to as Primary Memory and Internal Memory.

4.2 Backing up data

Definition:
The process of making one or more spare copies of data and storing them on an alternative
device/medium.

Importance of backing up data:

• To be able to retrieve data in case of accidental deletion
• To be able to retrieve data in case of accidental overwriting of files
• To be able to retrieve data in case of malicious damage

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Ch.4: Storage Devices Theory Notes

4.3 Backing storage

Definition:
• Non-volatile storage that is not directly accessed by the CPU
• Used to store files and software

The following table shows the differences between Main memory and backing storage:

Main/Internal memory Backing storage

Directly accessible by CPU Not directly accessible by CPU

Faster access speed Slower access speed

Tends to have greater storage

RAM and ROM are fixed inside the computer Backing storage can either be fixed or it can be
(internal memories) removable

Can be volatile (RAM) and non-volatile (ROM) Non-volatile

More expensive per unit storage Cheaper per unit storage

Stores bootup instructions and can hold data

Stores files and software
during processing

Factors to consider when comparing backing storage devices:

• Storage capacity
• Data transfer rate
• Data access time
• Durability
• Portability
• Price per unit memory

Data transfer rate: Rate at which data can be sent from a storage device to a computer (or vice
versa).
Data access time: Time it takes to locate specific data stored on a storage media.

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Ch.4: Storage Devices Theory Notes

4.4 Storage media vs. Storage device

Storage Media definition:
Hardware on which the data is actually stored (for example, CD and DVD).

Storage Device definition:

Hardware used to read from or write to the media (for example, CD/DVD reader or writer).

4.5 Magnetic media and magnetic storage devices

Fixed Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

Advantages:
• Large storage capacity
• Fast data transfer rate
• Fast data access times
• Has great read/write longevity

Disadvantages:
• An incorrect shutdown procedure could lead to loss of data
• They have many moving parts which can affect their overall reliability
• Quite noisy when compared to SSDs

Uses:
• To store the operating system
• To store system software and working files
• In real-time systems (systems that needs fast retrieval and storage of data)
• Used in file servers for computer networks

Portable Hard Disk Drive

Advantages:
• Large storage capacity
• Fast data transfer rate
• Fast data access times
• Portable, so it can be used in file transfer

Disadvantage:
• An incorrect shutdown procedure could lead to loss of data
• They have many moving parts which can affect their overall reliability
• Data transfer rate is not as fast as for fixed hard drives

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Ch.4: Storage Devices Theory Notes

Uses:
• To store backups
• To transfer data between computers

Magnetic Tape Drive

Advantages:
• Huge storage capacity
• It is a very robust technology (lasts for a long time)
• Fast data transfer rate
• Cheaper per unit memory than HDD

Disadvantages:
• Very slow data access times
- Data is accessed serially; this means files are accessed one by one
• They are affected by magnetic fields

Uses:
• To store backups
• Used in long-term archiving of data

Magnetic media example: Magnetic tape

Magnetic devices examples: Hard disk drive, Portable hard disk drive, Magnetic tape drive

4.3.1 Optical media and optical storage devices

Advantages of optical media:
• Cheaper than other storage devices
• Portable

Disadvantages of optical media:

• Slow data transfer rate
• Slow access times
• Not compatible with all computers

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Ch.4: Storage Devices Theory Notes

CDs and DVDs

CDs and DVDs can be categorized as follows:
• ROM – can only be read
• R – write only once
• RW – can be written to or read from many times

CD-ROM and DVD-ROM

Advantage:
• They are less expensive than HDDs

Disadvantages:
• Data transfer rate is slower than for hard disks
• Data access times is slower than for hard disks

Uses:
• Used in applications where there is a need to prevent the deletion or overwriting of
important data
• CD-ROMs are used to store music, software and computer games
• DVD-ROMs are used to store movies and more sophisticated computer games

CD-R and DVD-R

Advantages:
• Cheaper than RW disks
• Once burned they behave like ROM which protects against accidental
overwriting of data

Burning refers to adding data to an optical device.

Disadvantages:
• Can only be recorded once; if an error occurs then the disk must be thrown away
• Not all CD/DVD drives can read them

Uses:
• Archiving of data
• File transfer between different computers

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Ch.4: Storage Devices Theory Notes

CD-RW and DVD-RW

Advantages:
• Can be written over many times
• Not as wasteful as R format because the files/data can be added at a later
stage

Disadvantages:
• More expensive than ROM and R formats
• It is possible to accidentally overwrite data

Uses:
• To store data and backups
• File transfer between different computers
• Used in CCTV systems

DVD-RAM
Main Advantage:
• Can read and write data at the same time

Main Disadvantage:
• More expensive than other CDs and DVDs

Uses:
• To store backups
• File transfer between different computers

Blu-ray disc
Advantages:
• Greater storage capacity than other optical media
• Faster data transfer rate than other optical media
• Faster data access times than other optical media
• Automatically come with a secure encryption system that helps to prevent
piracy and copyright infringement

Disadvantage:
• Most expensive optical device

Uses:
• To store HD movies and games
• To store backups
• File transfer between different computers

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Ch.4: Storage Devices Theory Notes

We can summarize the differences between different optical media in the following
diagram:

CD Greater storage capacity

DVD Faster data transfer rate
DVD-RAM Faster data access times
Blu-ray disc More expensive to buy

Optical media examples: CD, DVD, Blu-ray disc

Optical devices examples: CD drive, DVD drive, Blu-ray drive

4.3.2 Solid-state media and solid-state storage devices

Solid State Drives (SSDs)
Advantages of SSDs over HDDs:
• Faster access times
• Faster data transfer rate
• No moving parts so more reliable
• Less power consumption
• They run much cooler
• They occupy less physical space
• They run quieter
• They are lighter

Disadvantages of SSDs over HDDs:

• More expensive per unit memory
• HDDs has greater longevity than SSDs

Uses:
• To store the operating system
• To store system software and working files
• In real-time systems (systems that needs fast retrieval and storage of data)
• Used in smartphones and tablets as main backing storage device

Any device that uses solid-state technology can be referred to as a flash drive.

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Ch.4: Storage Devices Theory Notes

Pen drive/Memory stick

Advantages:
• Very portable and compact
• Very robust
• Not affected by magnetic fields

Disadvantages:
• Easy to lose
• Lower storage capacity compared to HDDs
• More expensive per unit memory than HDDs

Uses:
• To store backups
• File transfer between different computers

Memory cards
Examples:
• SD cards (secure digital card)
- Used in digital cameras, audio players, smartphones and tablets
• XD cards (extreme digital card)
- Used in digital cameras
• CFast card (compactfast card)
- Used in expensive digital and video cameras
Advantages:
• Small and can be easily removed and used in another device
• Very durable

Disadvantages:
• More expensive per unit memory than HDDs
• Have a lower storage capacity than HDDs
• Not all computers come with memory card readers built in

Uses:
• To store photos on digital camera
• Used as mobile phones memory cards
• To store backups in hand-held devices

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Ch.4: Storage Devices Theory Notes

Error messages that may appear when attempting to save the work on memory cards:
• Device not recognized
• Corrupt card
• Medium is full
• Write error
• Virus found on the card

Solid-state media example: Memory cards (SD card, XD card, CFast card)
Solid-state devices examples: SSD, Flash drive, Pen drive, Memory card reader

4.4 Cloud storage (Cloud computing)

Definition:
• Online storage platform
• Data is stored in a remote physical location ..
• .. using hundreds of interlinked data servers

A server is a computer.
Data servers used to store data are referred to as Cloud.

How data is stored using cloud storage:

• User accesses the cloud storage using the internet ..
• .. from any device
• User uploads files to a data server
• Users pay a monthly/annual fee for storage used

How data is managed using cloud storage:

• The server is managed by a cloud provider
• Data is automatically backed up
• If one server fails, there are others used as backup

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Ch.4: Storage Devices Theory Notes

Steps to transfer files from a computer at home to another computer at university using cloud
storage:
1 User logs into the cloud from any device at home using the internet
2 User ensures sufficient storage in the cloud account
3 User uploads the files from his home computer to the data server
4 User then logs into the cloud storage account from the university’s computer using the
internet
5 Finally, user downloads the files on the university’s computer

Advantages compared to storing data locally:

• Data is accessible at any time, from any device, anywhere in the world provided internet
access is available
• More available storage space
• Storage capacity can be increased without adding additional physical devices
• Automatic backups can be made
• Users only pay for the storage they use
• No need to carry any storage device so data will not be lost if the storage device is
lost/stolen

Disadvantages compared to storing data locally:

• Users must have an internet connection to access data
• Users must have a reliable internet connection to store data
• Cloud storage has an ongoing cost
• Loss of control over the storage of data (storage is controlled by the cloud provider)
• More security issues as multiple copies of the data are stored
• Easier to hack as data always available

Last three disadvantages are issues related to the security of data in the cloud.

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