STORAGE DEVICES

COMP101 / COMP-111

Ch. Muhammad Ashraf Kaqmboh

 Chapter 3

Storage Devices
Storage Device:
A storage device is a computer hardware component that writes and reads information or
instructions to and from the storage media. Examples of most popular storage devices are hard
disk drive, CD/DVD drive, and USB flash drive. A computer performs two operations on the
storage devices.
• Writing: In a writing process, storage device records/stores information or
instructions from memory to a storage medium
• Reading: In a reading process, storage device transfers information or instructions from
storage medium into computer’s memory (for use by OS or application program)
When a storage device writes data (or programs) on storage medium, it performs a function as
an output device. Similarly, when a storage device reads data from disk and loads it into RAM, it
performs a function as an input device.

Types of Storage Devices:

Some important types of storage devices are mentioned below:
 Magnetic Storage Devices
 Optical Storage Devices
 Flash Memory Devices

Magnetic Storage Devices:

Magnetic storage is one of the most widely used secondary storage in computers. It consists of a
magnetic medium on which information is stored. Hard disk, floppy disk, Zip Disk, Magnetic Tap
are examples of magnetic storage devices.

Hard Disk
Hard disk drives are non-volatile magnetic storage devices capable of remembering vast
amounts of data. An electromagnet in the read/write head charges the disk’s surface with either a
positive or negative charge, this is how binary 1 or 0 is represented. The read/write head is then
capable of detecting the magnetic charges left on the disk’s surface, this is how data is read. The
disk surface is divided into concentric circles (tracks) and sectors (wedges). Dividing the surface
in this way provides physical addresses to remember where data is saved. A circuit board
carefully co-ordinates the rotating disk and swinging actuator arm to allow the read/write head to
access any location very quickly.
Typical HDD capacities are measured in Terabytes (TB). They can be installed inside a
computer or purchased in a portable (external) format.
Floppy Disk:

It is a type of storage media capable of

storing electronic data, like a computer file.
It is also known as floppy or floppy
diskette. The floppy diskette was first
created in 1967 by IBM as an alternative to
buying hard drives, which were extremely
expensive at the time. The picture shown on
next page is an example of a 3.5" floppy
diskette, one of the most commonly used
floppy diskettes, capable of storing 1.44 MB
of data. To read and write to this diskette it
would be inserted into a floppy drive.

Optical Storage Devices:

An optical disc has a single spiral track that spirals from the center to outside edge. Information on
the optical disc is stored in the form of microscopic pits (small holes) and lands. A binary digit ‘0’ is
represented by a pit and a binary digit ‘1’ is represented by a land. Pits are tiny reflective bumps
that are created with a laser beam. Lands are flat areas separating the pits. A land reflects laser
light, which is read as binary digit
1. A pit absorbs or scatters light, which is read as binary digit 0. High-powered laser beam
creates the pits. A lower-powered laser light reads data from the disc. Different types of optical
discs are CD, DVD, Blu-ray Discs etc.

CD:
CD stands for Compact Disc. It is an optical disc used for storing digital data. It was originally
developed for sound recording but now it is widely used for storing computer data and programs.
Storage capacity of CDs ranges from 350 MB to 800 MB. CDs are mostly used for storing huge
amount of data, application programs, operating systems, and device drivers. Types of CDs are
Read-only (CD-ROM), Recordable (CD-R) and Rewritable (CD-RW) etc.

DVD:
DVD stands for Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc. A DVD is similar to a CD. It has the
same diameter and thickness as CD and is made up of the same material. Data is also stored just
like a CD on a spiral track in the form of lands and pits (bumps). However, DVD has larger data
storage capacity and higher resolution than CD. Its data storage capacity is up to 17 GB or more.
DVD is specially used to store movie films. It is also used to store huge amount of data, music,
and software of large size. DVD drive or DVD player is used to read the data stored on a DVD. A
DVD player can play CDs also. Types of DVDs read-only (DVD-ROM), recordable (DVD-R), and
rewritable (DVD-RW)

Blu-Ray Disc:
Blu-ray disc (BD) is a new type of optical storage device. This storage device is reliable, faster,
and has higher storage capacity than CD and DVD. Its storage capacity is up to 1000 GB or
more. Bumps (pits) on
the Blu-ray disc are much smaller and very closely (tightly) packed than DVD. This increases
the storage capacity of Blu-ray discs. Blu-ray discs are better storage for storing movies
because they require more storage. Blu-ray drive is used to read the information on the Blu-ray
disc. Some game consoles contain a Blu-ray drive

Flash Memory Devices:

Flash memory devices are also called Solid-state storage devices. It has no moving parts in it. It is
neither magnetic nor optical. It contains a solid chip (an integrated circuit) that can store data.
Flash memory chips are a type of solid state storage media. Information inside solid state storage
media is stored and read electrically. Most of the solid-state storage media are non-volatile. Solid-
state storage devices are widely used in PCs, PDAs, tablets, notebooks, smartphones, digital
cameras, portable media players, and other mobile devices. Types of Flash Memory Devices are
Solid-state drives (SSDs), USB flash drives and Memory cards etc.

Solid-State Drive (SSD):

Solid-state drive (SSD) is a storage device that typically uses flash memory to store
data/information. It contains its own processor to manage its storage. It has faster access time
than traditional hard disk drives. SSD has no moving parts (mechanical components). SSD can be
in the form of a flash memory chip installed directly on a motherboard or an adapter card. It also
may be housed in a separate casing that is connected to the motherboard. External SSDs are also
available. SSDs are used in all types of computers such as desktops, servers, laptops, tablets, and
mobile devices (such as DV cameras, portable media players). Some computers have both a hard
disk and an SSD. They are available in different sizes such as 1.8 inches, 2.5 inches, and 3.5
inches. Storage capacity of SSDs can be up to 4 TB or more.

USB Flash Drive:

USB flash drive is also known as a pen drive or thumb drive. It is a flash memory device. It is
connected to a USB port in a computer or mobile device for writing and reading data. It is a non-
volatile memory. It is small in physical size and light-weight storage device. Today, USB flash drive
is commonly used as portable storage. Today, USB flash drives are widely used in PCs and other
mobile computers/devices for transferring data from one computer/device to another. USB flash
drives are available in different shapes, sizes, and storage capacities. Storage capacities of USB
flash drives can be up to 256 GB or more.

Memory Card:
A memory card is sometimes called a flash memory card or a storage card. It is a small size
removable flash memory device. Flash memory cards are widely used in digital cameras, mobile
phones, PDAs, video games, and other portable devices. A memory card can be inserted into a
slot in a computer, mobile device, or card reader/writer. Usually, card reader/writer is used to store
or read information to and from memory cards. A card reader/writer is usually connected to the
USB port of computer. Some computers and photo printers have built-in card readers/writers or
slots that read memory cards.
Q. Differentiate between HDD & SSD.

Parameter HDD SSD

Full Form HDD stands for Hard Disk Drive. SSD stands for Solid State
Drive.
Components HDD contains moving mechanical parts, SSD does not
like the arm. contains,
mechanical parts,
only
electronical parts like ICs.
R/W Time HDD has longer R/W time. SSD has shorter R/W time..
Latency HDD has higher latency. SSD has lower latency.
I/O operations HDD supports fewer I/O operations per SSD supports more I/O
per second. operations per second.
second
Fragmentation HDD has fragmentation. SSD do not has fragmentation.
Weight HDD is heavier in weight. SSD is lighter in weight.
Size HDD is larger in size. SSD is more compact in size.
Data Transfer In HDD the data transfer is sequential. In SSD the data transfer is
random access.
Reliability HDD is less reliable due to SSD is more reliable.
possibility of mechanical failure, like
head crash and
susceptibility to strong magnets.
Cost HDD is cheaper per unit storage. SSD is costlier per unit storage.
Time of Release HDD is older and more traditional. SSD is newer to use.
Noise HDD can produce noise due to mechanical SSD does not produces noise.
movements.