CHAPTER 3

STORAGE DEVICES
 Characteristics of Backing Storage

Backing storage: long-term storage used to store data, files, and programs when not in
use e.g.:

• hard disk drives (HDD)

• solid-state drives (SSD)
• USB flash drives
• optical discs (CDs, DVDs)

Backing storage is typically slower than internal memory but has a larger capacity. It is
non-volatile, meaning it retains data when the computer is powered off

Differences between Backing Storage & Internal Memory

Backing Storage Internal Memory

Long-term storage of files, Temporary storage of data and essential

Function
programs, and data instructions while the computer is running

HDD, SSD, USB flash drives,

Examples RAM, ROM
optical discs (CDs, DVDs)

Access
Slower Faster
Speed

Capacity Larger Smaller

Non-volatile (retains data when
Volatility RAM: volatile, ROM: non-volatile
powered off)
 Storage Media & Devices
The device that actually holds the data is known as the storage medium.

The device that saves data onto the storage medium, or reads data from it, is
known as the storage device.

Sometimes the storage medium is a fixed (permanent) part of the storage device and
removable from the device

There are three types:

• Magnetic media and storage devices
• Optical media and storage devices
• Solid state media and storage devices

Magnetic media and storage devices

I. Fixed/Internal hard disk drive (HDD)

Fixed hard disk drives are available on all computers and are the main method used for
data storage. On a PC this is usually a fixed hard disk with read/write heads allowing
data to be written to or read from the disk surface.

Uses
• To store the operating system, systems software and working data/files.
• Storing applications software that needs fast retrieval and storage of data.
• Used in real-time systems (for example, robots)
• Used in online systems (for example, booking airline tickets
online)
• Used in file servers for computer networks.

Advantages
• They have very large memory capacities.
• They have a very fast data transfer rate.
• They have fast access times to data.
Disadvantages
• Can be easily damages if the correct shut down procedure is not carried out or if
it is hit.
• They have many moving parts when compared to Solid State Drives (SSDs).
• Their read/write operation can be quite noisy compared to SSDs

II. Portable hard disk drives

These devices work the same way as fixed hard disk drives but are usually connected
to the computer via the USB (Universal Serial Bus) port and can be disconnected and
used on different computers (portable).

Uses
• They can be used as backup systems to prevent loss of data.
• They can be used to transfer data/files/software between computers.

Advantages
• They have a large memory capacity.
• Data transfer rate is very fast.
• Data access time is very fast.
• They can be used as a method of transferring
information between computers.

Disadvantages
• They can be easily damaged if dropped or subjected to a strong magnetic field.
• An incorrect shutdown procedure could lead to loss of data.
• Slower than SSD
III. Magnetic tapes
A magnetic tape is a very thin strip of plastic that has been coated in a magnetic layer.
Data is read from the tape using serial access. This type of storage is useless in real-
time or online applications (due to the very slow data access speeds) and is best suited
for offline or batch processing.

Uses
Used for backups of file servers for computer
networks.
• Used in long-term archiving of data. Magnetic
tapes have huge data storage capacities and are
known to be very stable, which make them ideal
for long-term storage.
• Used as a backup media since all the data
needs to be stored.
• Uses in applications where batch processing is
used, for example, clearing of bank cheques, utility billing and producing pay slips. In
these applications there is no need for any specific processing order and speed of data
access is not essential.

Advantages
• They are less expensive than the equivalent hard disk.
• It is a very robust technology (they don’t deteriorate very much over time).
• They have a huge data storage capacity.
• The data transfer rate is fast (this should not be confused with data access time, which
is very slow for magnetic tape).

Disadvantages
• Very slow data access times (need to real all the earlier records on the tape until the
required record is found).
• They are affected by magnetic fields. A strong magnet can corrupt data stored on the
tape.
 Optical media and storage devices

Compact Disc
CD/DVD disks CDs and DVDs are described as optical storage devices. Laser light is
used to read data and to write data on the surface of the disk.
CDs and DVDs can be categorized as follows:
• R – write only once.
• ROM – can only be read.
• RW – can be written to or read from many times.
CDs tend to be used for files smaller than 1Gb, which are too big for a floppy disc to
hold, for example music and general animation.
DVDs are used to hold larger files than CDs (several Gb) such as movie films.
Both CDs and DVDs are portable i.e. they can be transported from one computer to
another

I. CD-ROM and DVD-ROM

These optical disks are read-only memory (ROM), which means that they cannot be
written over and can only be read.

Uses
• CD-ROMs are used to store music files, software, computer games and reference
software (such as an encyclopedia).
• DVD-ROMs have much larger storage and are used to store films, computer data and
ever-more sophisticated computer games.
• CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs are used in applications where there is a real need to
prevent the deletion or overwriting of important data.
Advantages
• They hold far more data than floppy disks (one CD/DVD could replace several floppy
disks in some applications).
• They are less expensive than hard disk drive systems.

Disadvantages
• Data transfer rate is slower than for hard disks.
• Data access time is slower than for hard disks.
• Susceptible to scratches

II. CD-R and DVD-R

The letter R here means the disk is recordable only once; it becomes a CD-ROM or
DVD-ROM once it has been finalized (this means that the CD/DVD cannot have any
additional data written to it).

Uses
• Home recordings of music (CD-R) and films (DVD R).
• Used to store data to be kept for later use or to be transferred to another computer.

Advantages
• Cheaper than RW disks.
• Once burned (and finalized) they are a ROM.

Disadvantages
• If the CD-R/DVD-R is finalized and an error in the data has occurred, then the disk
has to be discarded since it can be no longer be written to.
• Space can be wasted if the CD-R/DVD-R was not fully consumed before burning
and finalizing it.
• Not all CD/DVD players can read CD-R/DVD-R.
III. CD-RW and DVD-RW
The RW means that these disks are a rewritable media and can be written over several
times. Unlike CD-R/DVD R, they don’t become ROMs.

Uses
• Used to record television programs (like video recorder), which can be recorded over
and over again. • Used in CCTV systems.

Advantages
• Can be written over many times. • Can use different file formats each time it is used.

Disadvantages
• Relatively expensive.
It is possible to accidentally overwrite data

IV. DVD-RAM
DVD-RAM uses a very different technology to CDs and DVDs. They have the following
features:
• DVD-RAMs allow for simultaneous read and write operations to take place.
• They allow numerous read and write operations (up to 100 000 times) and have great
longevity (over 30 years), which makes them ideal for archiving.

Uses
• In recording devices such as satellite receivers to allow simultaneous recording and
playback.
• Used in camcorders to store movies.

Advantages
• They have a long life.
• Very fast access if the files are fairly small.
• Very large capacity (about 10 GB).
• They offer the ability to read data at the same time as data is being written.
• It is possible to do a rewrite operation over 100,000 times (compare this to the RW
format, which only allows for about 1,000 rewrites).
• Writing on DVD-RAMs is very reliable – they have built in verification software, so the
accuracy of the data is ensured.
• No need to finalize the disk.

V. Blu-ray discs
Blu-ray discs are another example of optical storage media. However, they are
fundamentally different to DVDs and CDs in their construction and in the way they carry
out read-write operations.

Uses
• Home video consoles.
• Storing and playing back movies (one high-definition movie of two hours duration
uses up 25 GB of memory).
• PCs can use this technology for data storage or backing up hard drives.
• Camcorders can use this media to store movie footage.

Advantages
• Very large storage capacity, therefore ideal for storing high-definition movies.
• Very fast data transfer rate.
• The data access speed is greater than with other optical media.
• Blu-rays discs automatically come with a secure encryption system, which helps to
prevent piracy and copyright infringement.

Disadvantages
• Relatively expensive.
• Encryption problems (which are used to stop piracy) when used to store video.
 Solid-state media and storage devices
Solid State Drives (SSDs)
Solid State Drives (SSDs) are rapidly taking over from HDDs.
The main advantages of SSDs over HDDs are:
• They have no moving parts thus more reliable. • Because there are no moving parts,
they are very thin.
• They are considerably lighter (making them suitable for laptops).
• They don’t have to get ‘up to speed’ before they work properly.
• They have lower power consumption (making them suitable for laptops).
• They run much cooler than HDDs (making them suitable for laptops).
• Data access speed is considerably faster than HDD.

I. Memory sticks/Pen drives

Memory sticks/pen drives can store several gigabytes of data. They are usually
connected to a computer through the USB port and power to operate them is drawn
from the host computer. They are extremely small and very portable. Most operating
systems recognize these storage media, which means no additional software is needed
to operate them.

Uses
• Transporting files between computers or used as a backup store.
• Used as a security device to prevent software piracy (known as a dongle).

Advantages
• Very compact and portable media
. • Very robust.
• Doesn’t need additional software to work on most computers.
• They are not affected by magnetic fields.
Disadvantages
• Can’t write-protect the data/files.
• Easy to lose (due to their small physical size).
• The user needs to be very careful when removing a memory stick from a computer –
incorrect removal (for example, when it is still doing a read/write operation) will corrupt
the data on the memory stick.
• Lower storage capacity compared to hard disk drives.

II. Flash memory cards

• SD – Secure Digital card – used in smartphones, tablets,

audio players
• XD – eXtreme Digital card – Used in digital camera
• Cfast – Compact Fast card – Used in very small portable
devices
Uses
• Storing photos on digital cameras.

• Used as mobile phone memory cards.

• Used in MP3 players to store music files.
• Used as a backup store in hand-held computer devices.

Advantages
• Very compact and can be easily removed and used in another device or for
transferring photos directly to a computer or printer.
• Very robust.

Disadvantages
• Expensive per gigabyte of memory when compared to hard disk drives.

• Have a finite life regarding the number of times they can be read from or written to.
• Have a lower storage capacity than hard disk