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Data Storage Primary and Secondary

The document provides an overview of data storage, detailing primary and secondary storage types, including RAM, ROM, and various storage media like hard disks and optical disks. It explains the functions of reading and writing data, the characteristics of different storage devices, and compares local storage with cloud storage. Additionally, it highlights the evolution and capacity of various storage technologies.

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Soraiya Mohammed
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10 views31 pages

Data Storage Primary and Secondary

The document provides an overview of data storage, detailing primary and secondary storage types, including RAM, ROM, and various storage media like hard disks and optical disks. It explains the functions of reading and writing data, the characteristics of different storage devices, and compares local storage with cloud storage. Additionally, it highlights the evolution and capacity of various storage technologies.

Uploaded by

Soraiya Mohammed
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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DATA STORAGE

RECALL
One of the advantages of using computers is the ability to store
large amounts of information in a small space.

Storage refers to the media used by a computer and mobile


devices to keep data, information and software for immediate or
later use.

MEDIA - is the physical material on which the data is stored,


such as magnetic tapes, magnetic disk and optical disk.

STORAGE DEVICE – the device that reads and writes the


items to the media. These devices include magnetic tape drives
and optical disk drives.
Reading – refers to the process of moving the data or
information on a storage medium into memory.

Writing – is the process of moving data or information from


memory to a storage medium.

There are TWO categories of storage in a computer:


Primary storage
Secondary storage
PRIMARY STORAGE
Primary storage is also called main memory or immediate-
access storage (IMAS). This is a group of chips that resides in the
motherboard of the computer.

Primary storage consists of two types of memory chips:


RAM (Random Access Memory)
ROM (Read-Only Memory)
RANDOM-ACCESS MEMORY
A computer uses RAM to hold data and instructions (programs)
temporarily, while processing takes place using that data and
program.
RAM is used when the computer is switched on.
It also holds data that results from processing – data waiting to
be output or stored in a secondary storage device. RAM is
therefore also called working memory.
RAM is volatile (temporary).
RAM chips are limited in capacity, 4GB to 32GB
RAM is expensive and are a major determinant in the final price
of your computer.
The information in RAM can be accessed directly and easily by
the CPU.
RAM
Cache Memory
In an effort to speed up processing, most microcomputers have
cache memory.
Cache memory is fast memory that the processor can access
much more quickly than main memory or RAM.
Cache is made of high-speed static RAM (SRAM) instead of the
slower and cheaper dynamic RAM (DRAM) chip.
READ-ONLY MEMORY

ROM chips hold the data and instructions that are necessary for
starting up the computer (Basic input/output system – BIOS)
The BIOS is a program that tells the computer how to load the
operating system (OS).
The information is fixed at the time of manufacture. This ensure
that the instructions stored on ROM are always there, whether
the power is on or off.
ROM is therefore non-volatile: it cannot be easily changed,
because it is ‘read-only’.
Information in ROM is permanent and cannot be deleted, only
read.
ROM
READ ONLY MEMORY

ROM cannot be easily modified and therefore provides a measure


of security against accidental or malicious changes. Users of a
system cannot infect ROM chips with a virus.

There are various types of ROM chips:


• Programmable ROM – PROM
• Erasable Programmable ROM – EPROM
• Electrically Erasable PROM - EEPROM
UNITS OF STORAGE
Computers and other electronic devices store data in two states
(bistable), 0 and 1 (binary). These are electrical impulses, with a
pulse of current representing 1 and no pulse representing 0.

A bit is the smallest unit of storage in a computer.


A bit can either be a 1 or a 0.

The amount of data and instructions that can be stored in the


memory of a computer is measured in bytes.

A byte is made up of a combination of 8 bits, and can represent


one character.
SECONDARY STORAGE

Secondary storage is needed to store information on a permanent


basis for later use.
It is cheaper than RAM or ROM.
Some are portable.

Types of secondary storage include:


Tape storage
Floppy disks
Zip drives
Hard disks
Optical disks (CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, Blu-ray)
Flash memory (pen drive, thumb drive)
TAPE STORAGE

Provides a large amount of storage on the surface area of the


reel.
Offers only serial access
Used mainly for backing up data for security purposes
Storage capacity of hundreds of gigabytes
FLOPPY DISK

Also known as a diskette


A removable, flexible, plastic disk coated with a magnetic
material, in a plastic case.
Offers direct access storage
A floppy disk drive is used to read and write data to the floppy
disk.
Not commonly used anymore
Storage capacity of 1.44 megabytes (MB)
HARD DISK

These are rigid and not flexible and are found inside the
computer
Contains a stack of disks with a read/write head.
Very high storage capacity of 80 gigabytes to 200 gigabytes (GB)
Provide direct access
OPTICAL DISKS

These include:
CD-ROM – Compact Disk Read Only Memory
CD-R – Compact Disk Recordable
CD-RW – Compact Disk Rewritable
DVD – Digital Video Disk

These disks are called optical disks because a laser is used to


read and write data to and from the disk.
These lasers are red in colour.
Compact Disk Read Only Memory- CDROM

The data can be accessed from the disk but no data can be added
or changed on it.
These are used to store software, music, etc. for sale or
distribution
Storage Capacity – 750 MB
Compact Disk Recordable – CD-R
This disk is blank and data can be written (saved) onto it (only
once). A CD recorder (burner) is used to do this. A typical use is to
create music CDs.
Storage capacity is maximum 800MB.
Compact Disk Rewritable – CD-RW

Data can be written to and erased from this disk.


This disk is common for backup storage for data that changes
frequently.
Digital Versatile Disk - DVD

This disk looks similar to a CD-R but can hold much more
information.
These include DVD-ROM, DVD-R and DVD-RW.
These are used for storing movies and backing up data.
Storage Capacity – 4.7GB to 17GB
Blu-ray Disc (BD)
Most recently developed optical disk.
It is called blu-ray from the blue-violet laser used to read and write
to the disk.
Used for storing high definition (HD) movies and games.
Storage capacity – 25GB to 50GB
Flash Memory
This is also called ‘flash RAM’.
They are called ‘solid state devices’ because they have no moving
parts.
Flash memory is used in portable devices in digital cameras and
cell phones.
Popular examples of these are flash drives, also called ‘thumb
drives’ or ‘travel drives’.
Storage capacity ranges from 512 KB to 1 TB.
Types of flash storage include:
• Solid state drives
• USB flash drives
• Memory cards
Flash Memory
Solid State Drive (SDD)
These are devices designed to store data without
reading or writing on rotating disks, as hard drives
do.
SSD is non-volatile, contains no moving parts and
stores data electronically.
Capacities range from 500GB to 4TB.
Used in desktop, laptops, cell phones, cable TV
setup boxes and video games consoles.
Flash Memory
USB Flash drive
Easy to use
Convenient (small size – can be placed in a pocket
or on a key chain)
Highly compatible – ‘plug and play’
Fast access
Password protection
Disk write protection switch (prevents data from
being accidently written over)
Flash Memory
Flash Memory Cards
Physically very small
highly portable
High data capacity (ranging from 32GB, 64GB,
128GB, 256GB, and even more
High data transfer speed to the device they are part
of or attached to (camera, PC, smartphone and so
on)
Cloud Storage vs Local Storage

Cloud Storage is the use of a network of remote servers hosted


on the Internet to store, manage and process data.
Cloud Storage (The Cloud) is a service where data is remotely
maintained, managed and operated by a cloud storage service
provider.

Local Storage refers to storage devices that are used on-site to


store or backup data within a company or an organization. These
devices are directly attached to the computer or network, include
hard drives, SSD, flash drives and tape drives.
Cloud Storage vs Local Storage
Local Storage Cloud Storage
• You have complete control over • Have desktop folders to allow
the data users to drag and drop files from
• Your data is easily accessible, local to cloud storage
without Internet access • Stored files can be accessed
• Accessing information can be once there is Internet connection
quicker • Cloud storage can be used as off-
• Susceptible to events and site backup, and is not affected
disasters by events and disasters
• Requires hardware which can • Is free for small storage
be expensive capacities and affordable for
• On-site data storage can crash larger sizes
at any time • Slower than local storage
• Concerns about safety & privacy
Comparing Secondary Storage Media

Storage Storage Capacity Cost Technology Year


Media used Introduced

Diskette 1.44 MB Very Cheap Magnetic 1985

Magnetic Approx. 200GB or Affordable Magnetic 1975


Tape less

Hard Disk 200GB – 1TB Expensive Magnetic 1980

Zip Drive 100MB – 750MB Affordable Magnetic 1990s

Optical 700MB – 75GB Varies Optical Early 1990s


Disks according to
disk
Flash 1GB – 50GB Varies Solid State 2002
Memory according to
capacity

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