MODULE THREE - ITC101L Part II
MODULE THREE - ITC101L Part II
MODULE THREE
Computer Hardware – Part II
1. STORAGE
Storage medium and storage device are the two parts to any storage
systems. Storage medium is the hardware where data is actually
stored, such as: DVD or flash memory card; while a storage device is
where a storage medium is inserted to be read from or written to, such
as: DVD drive or flash memory card reader.
Often, the storage medium and storage device are two separate pieces
of hardware, that is when storage medium is removable. However, in
some systems – such as hard drive or most USB flash drives – the two
parts are permanently sealed together to form one piece of hardware.
Storage devices can be internal or external or remote. Internal devices
have the advantage of requiring no additional desk space and usually
faster than their external counterparts. External devices, on the other
hand, can be easily transported from one location to another, and can
be removed from the computer and stored in a secured area. Remote
devices are accessed over a network. Storage devices accessed over
the Internet have an advantage of being accessible from any computer
with an Internet connection. Storage devices are typically identified by
letter. Letter C is by default used for primary hard drives.
b. Volatility
Storage media are non – volatile, thus the data remains on the media
even when the power to the computer or storage device is off. Storage
media are used for anything that needs to be saved for future use.
Page 0 of 18
ITC101L – MODULE 3
drives – are random access devices. Media that allow random access
are sometimes referred to as addressable media. This means, that the
storage system can locate each piece of stored data at a unique
address, which is determined by the computer system.
In sequential access, the data can only be retrieved in the order in
which it is physically stored on the medium. One type of storage device
that is sometimes used with the computers for backup purposes and
that uses sequential access is a magnetic tape drive. This drive works
like audiocassette tapes or video tapes – to get to the specific location
on the tape, you must play or fast forward through all the tape that
comes before the location you want to access.
Page 1 of 18
ITC101L – MODULE 3
Optical storage media store data optically using laser beams. On some
optical media, the laser burns permanent marks to represent 0s and 1s
into the surface of the medium so the data cannot ne erased or
rewritten. With rewriteable optical media, the laser changes the
reflectivity of the medium to represent 0s and 1s but it does not
permanently alter the disc surface so the reflectivity can be changed
back again as needed.
Some storage systems use a combination of magnetic and optical
technology. Others use a different technology altogether, such as flash
memory storage systems that represent data using electrons inside
flash memory cells to represent 0s and 1s.
HARD DRIVES
Hard drives are used to store most programs and data. Internal hard drives –
those located inside the system unit – are not designed to be removed,
unless they need to be repaired or replaced. External hard drives typically
connect to a computer via an external port – such as a USB or Thunderbolt
port – or a wireless connection and are frequently used for additional storage
to move files between computers, and for backup purposes.
Smartphones, digital video recorders, gaming consoles, digital camcorders,
and more consumer products also have built -in hard drives. Although some
devices today use only flash memory chips for internal storage.
For security purposes, both internal and external hard drives today are
available with built -in encryption that automatically encrypts all data stored
on the hard drive and limits access to the hard drive to only authorized users,
typically via a password, PIN (personal identification number), or fingerprint
scan.
Magnetic Hard Drives
A magnetic hard drive also called hard disk drive or HDD contains one
or more metal hard disks or platters that are coated with a
magnetizable substance. These hard disks are permanently sealed
inside the hard drive case along with the read/write heads used to
store (write) and retrieve (read) data and an access mechanism used
to move the read/write heads in and out of the surface of the hard
disks.
Page 2 of 18
ITC101L – MODULE 3
The surface of a hard disk is organized into tracks and pie – shaped
group of sectors. On most computer systems, the smallest amount of
disk space on a hard drive that can be used to store a file is a cluster –
one or more adjacent sectors. The computer numbers the tracks,
sectors and clusters so it can keep track of the location of the data.
File system is used by a computer to record where each file is
physically stored on the hard drive and what filename the user
assigned to it. File system is used whenever the file is retrieved. Aside
from the sectors, tracks, and clusters, hard drives also organized into
cylinders. A cylinder is the collection of one specific track located on
each hard disk surface. It is the area on all of the hard disks inside a
hard drive that can be accessed without moving the read/write access
mechanism, once it has moved to a proper position.
Page 3 of 18
ITC101L – MODULE 3
Note: Magnetic hard drive’s read/write heads never touch the surface
of the hard disks at any time. If the read/write heads do touch the
surface, a head crash occurs which can permanently damage the hard
drive. Read/write heads are located extremely close to the surface of
the hard disk, the presence of a foreign object the width of a human
hair or even a smoke particle on the surface of the hard disk is like
placing a huge boulder on a road and then trying to drive it over with
your car.
Solid State Drives (SSDs)
These hard drives use flash memory chips instead of a magnetic disk;
thus, SSDs have no moving parts and data is stored as electrical
charges on the flash memory media located within the SSD. Because of
this, SSDs are not subject to mechanical failures and are more
resistant to shock and vibration. They also consume less power,
generate less heat, make no noise, and faster than the magnetic hard
drive. Used in notebooks and other portable devices instead of, or in
addition to a magnetic hard drive. One recent trend today is utilizing
both an SSD and magnetic hard drive in a single computer. A smaller,
less expensive SSD (such as 128 GB) can be used for the operating
system and important applications to speed up the system, and a
larger magnetic hard drive can be used for data storage and lesser –
used applications.
Solid State Hybrid Drives (SSHDs)
Also called hybrid drives, contain both flash memory chips and
magnetic hard drives. With an SSHD, the data that is most directly
associated with performance (boot data and frequently accessed data)
is stored in flash memory. The flash memory – usually about 8GB –
allows the hard drive to be faster. It is used to reduce the number of
times the hard disks need to be read, as well as temporarily store data
to be written to the hard disks, both of which can extend battery life of
portable computers and mobile devices. Flash memory can also allow
encryption or other security measures to be built into drive.
Internal vs External Hard Drives
Internal hard drives are permanently located inside a computer’s system unit
and typically are not removed unless there is a problem with them. Virtually
all computers have at least one internal hard drive that is used to store
programs and data.
Page 4 of 18
ITC101L – MODULE 3
External hard drives are commonly used for transporting a large amount of
data from one computer to another, for back up purposes and for additional
storage. Portable hard drives are smaller external hard drives specifically
designed to be removed from computer to computer when needed.
Hard Drive Speed and Disk Caching
The hard disk inside a magnetic hard drive typically spin continually at a rate
of between 5,400 and 15,000 revolution per minute (rpm). The total time it
takes for a hard drive to read or write data is called the disk access time
which requires the following steps.
1. Move the read/write heads to the cylinder that contains (or will
contain) the desired data – called seek time.
2. Rotate the hard disks into the proper position so that the read/write
heads are located over the part of the cylinder to be used – called
rotational delay.
3. Move the data, such as reading the data from the hard disk and
transferring it to memory, or transferring the data from memory and
storing it on the hard disk – called data movement time.
To minimize disk access time, magnetic hard drives usually store related data
on the same cylinder. This strategy reduces seek time, and therefore improve
the overall access time. SSDs do not require seek time or rotational delay as
they do not have any moving parts and their access time is much faster than
magnetic hard drives.
Disk caching is often used to speed up magnetic hard drive performance. A
cache is a place to store something temporarily. A disk cache stores copies of
data or programs that are located on the hard drive and that might be
needed soon in memory in order to avoid having to retrieve the data or
programs from the hard drive upon request. Today’s hard drive typically use
a disk cache consisting of a memory chips located on a circuit board inside
the hard drive case.
Hard Drive Partitioning and File Systems
Partitioning a hard drive enables you to divide the physical capacity of a
single hard drive logically into separate areas – called partitions or volumes.
Partitions function as independent hard drives and are sometimes referred to
as logical drives because each partition is labeled and treated separately
when viewed in a file management program, but they are still physically one
drive. Some new personal computers come with two partitions: a C drive
partition ready to use for programs and data and a D drive partition set up as
a recovery partition. A recovery partition contains the data necessary to
restore a hard drive back to its state at the time the computer was purchase
and is designed to be used only if the computer malfunctions.
One reason user creates a partition of primary drive is to be able to use two
different operating systems on the same hard drive. With a dual boot system
Page 5 of 18
ITC101L – MODULE 3
such as this, the user specifies the operating system to be run each time a
computer boots.
The partition size, cluster size (on magnetic hard drives), maximum drive
size, and maximum file size that can be used with a hard drive are
determined by the file system being used. Most Windows computers typically
use NTFS, which supports much larger hard drives and files than the older
FAT32 and includes better security and error – recovery capabilities. Older
versions of Windows and some removable storage devices like USB flash
drives use FAT32, which has a maximum partition size of 32GB and a
maximum file size of 4GB.
Hard Drive Interface Standards
Hard drives connect, or interface, with a computer using one of several
different standards. The most common internal hard drive interface standards
for desktop computers today is serial ATA (SATA). The SATA standard was
designed to replace the older, slower parallel ATA (PATA) standard, which
also referred to as Fast ATA and EIDE (Enhanced Integrated Drive
Electronics). SATA is faster than PATA and uses thinner cables, which means
SATA hard drives take up less room inside the system unit. Internal SSDs may
use the SATA interface but many plugs directly into a PCIe port or use the
faster serial attached SCSI (SAS) interface standard. External hard drives
most often connect to the computer via a USB or Thunderbolt port.
OPTICAL DISC AND DRIVES
Optical Disc Characteristics
Optical discs are thin circular discs made out of polycarbonate
substrate – essentially a type of very strong plastic – that are topped
with layers of other materials and coatings used to store data and
protect the disc. Data can be stored on one or both sides of an optical
disc, depending on the disc design, and some types of discs use
multiple recording layers on each side of the disc to increase capacity.
Page 6 of 18
ITC101L – MODULE 3
Page 7 of 18
ITC101L – MODULE 3
Page 8 of 18
ITC101L – MODULE 3
erased, changed, or added to because the pics that are molded into
the surface of the disc when disc is produced are permanent.
Recordable Optical Discs: CD – R, DVD – R, DVD+ R, and BD – R
Discs
Recordable optical disc can be written to, but the discs cannot be
erased and reused. Recordable CDs are referred to as CD – R discs.
Single – layer recordable DVDs are called either DVD – R discs or DVD
+ R discs, depending on the standard being used, and dual – layer
recordable DVDs are called DVD+R DL or DVD-R DL discs. Recordable
BD discs are also available in single – layer, dual – layer, and XL discs
(BD – R discs, BD – R DL discs, and BD – R XL). The capacities of
recordable optical discs are the same as the read – only formats.
Instead of having physically molded pits, most recordable optical discs
have a recording layer containing organic light – sensitive dye
embedded between the disc’s plastic and reflective layers, except the
BD – R disc which has a recording layer consisting of inorganic
material.
Rewritable Optical Discs: CD – RW, DVD – RW, DVD+ RW, and
BD – RE Discs
Rewritable optical discs can be written to, erased, and overwritten just
like magnetic hard disks. The most common types of rewritable optical
discs are CD – RW, DVD – RW, DVD + RW, and BD – RE discs; BD – RE
discs are also available as dual – layer discs (BD – RE DL discs) and XL
discs (BD – RE XL). The capacities of rewritable discs are the same as
their read – only and recordable counterparts.
Phase change technology is used to write to, erase, or overwrite
rewritable optical discs. With this technology, the rewritable disc is
coated with layers of a special metal alloy compound that can have
two different appearances after it has been heated and then cooled,
depending on the heating and cooling process used. These types of
discs are usually used for transferring large files from one computer to
another or temporarily store TV shows.
Page 9 of 18
ITC101L – MODULE 3
Flash memory cards are the most common type of storage media for
digital cameras, smartphones, and other portable devices. Most of
computers and many mobile devices today have a built – in flash
memory card reader capable of reading flash memory cards; an
external flash memory card reader that connects via a USB port can be
used when the destination device does not have a built – in reader.
Flash memory cards are available up to 512GB.
Page 10 of 18
ITC101L – MODULE 3
There are general purpose flash memory cards that can be used for
most applications, there are also flash memory cards designed for
specific uses. Professional flash memory cards designed for
professional photographers are faster and more durable than
consumer cards and gaming flash memory cards are specifically
designed for gaming consoles and devices – such as Nintendo Wii or
Sony PSP.
USB Flash Drives
USB flash drives – often times called USB drives or flash drives –
consist of flash memory media integrated into a self – contained unit
that connects to a computer or other device via a USB port and is
powered via the port. USB flash drives are designed to be very small
and very portable. In order to be appropriate for a wide variety of
applications, USB flash drives are available in a host of formats –
including those designed to be attached to backpacks or worn on a
lanyard around the neck; those built into pens, necklaces, wristbands,
or wristwatches, those thin enough to fit easily into a wallet; and those
made into custom shapes for promotional or novelty purposes.
To read from or write to a USB flash drive, you just plug it into a USB
port. If the USB flash drive is being used with a computer, it is assigned
a drive letter by the computer. USB flash drives today can store up to 1
TB.
Page 11 of 18
ITC101L – MODULE 3
Page 12 of 18
ITC101L – MODULE 3
Smart Cards
A smart card is a credit card – sized piece of plastic that has built – in
computer circuitry and components – typically a processor, memory,
and storage. Smart cards today store a relatively small amount of data
(64KB or less) that can be used for payment or identification purposes.
Page 13 of 18
ITC101L – MODULE 3
For instance, a smart card can store a prepaid amount of digital cash,
which can be used for purchases at a smart – card enabled vending
machine or to pay transit fares – the amount of cash available on the
card is reduced each time the card is used.
Smart cards are also commonly used worldwide for national and
student ID cards, credit and debit cards adhering to the global EMV
standard to increase security and decrease fraudulent use and access
cards facilities or computer networks. These applications have all used
conventional magnetic stripe technology in the past, the processor
integrated into smart card can perform computations – such as
authenticate the card, encrypt the data on the card to protect its
integrity, and secure against unauthorized access – and can allow data
to be added to the card or modified on the card as needed.
To use a smart card, it must either be inserted into a smart card reader
or placed close to a smart card reader built into or attached to a
computer, door lock, ATM, vending machine, or other device.
Page 14 of 18
ITC101L – MODULE 3
RAID
RAID (redundant arrays of independent disks) is a method of
storing data on two or more hard drives that work together.
Although RAID can be used to increase performance, it is most
often used to protect critical data on a large storage system.
Because RAID usually involves recording redundant copies of
stored data, the copies can be used, when necessary, to
reconstruct lost data. This helps in increasing the fault tolerance
– the ability to recover from an unexpected hardware or
software failure, such as a system crash – of a storage system.
Different RAID designs or levels
RAID 0 – uses disk striping which spreads files over two or
more hard drives. Although striping improves performance
because multiple hard drives can be accessed at one time to
store or retrieve data, it does not provide fault tolerance
RAID 1 – uses disk mirroring in which data is written to
two duplicate hard drives simultaneously. The objective of disk
mirroring is to increase fault tolerance – if one of the hard drives
fails, the system can instantly switch to the other hard drive
without any loss of data or service.
Levels beyond RAID 1 use some combination of disk
striping and disk mirroring, with different types of error
correction provisions.
One disadvantage of RAID in the past is the difficulty
traditionally involved with setting up and maintaining the
Page 15 of 18
ITC101L – MODULE 3
Page 16 of 18
ITC101L – MODULE 3
1.
Page 17 of 18