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Storage Devices and Media

The document discusses various storage devices and media, emphasizing the importance of backing up data to prevent loss and damage. It outlines the advantages and disadvantages of different storage options, including magnetic tape drives, fixed and portable hard drives, optical media (CD-R, CD-RW, CD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-ROM, Blu-Ray), highlighting their uses, costs, and data transfer rates. The information serves as a guide for selecting appropriate storage solutions based on specific needs and requirements.

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abeleabele95
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16 views9 pages

Storage Devices and Media

The document discusses various storage devices and media, emphasizing the importance of backing up data to prevent loss and damage. It outlines the advantages and disadvantages of different storage options, including magnetic tape drives, fixed and portable hard drives, optical media (CD-R, CD-RW, CD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-ROM, Blu-Ray), highlighting their uses, costs, and data transfer rates. The information serves as a guide for selecting appropriate storage solutions based on specific needs and requirements.

Uploaded by

abeleabele95
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Storage Devices

and Media
Backing-Up Data

• Backing up refers to copying files or data into a different


medium in case of damage or loss of original copy.
Why do we back up data?
• To safeguard (protect) against loss of data.
• To safeguard against damages caused by hackers.
• In case files need to be sent elsewhere, to protect the
original format of files.
Magnetic tape drives
Advantages: Disadvantages:
• They are generally less expensive /cheaper • Prolonged data access times (uses serial
than hard disk drives. access).
• It is a very robust (strong) technology. • When updating, another tape is needed to
• They have a huge data storage capacity. store the final updated version.

• The data transfer rate is fast. • They are affected by magnetic fields. A
strong field can corrupt data stored on the
• Prolonged data access times (uses serial tape.
access).
Fixed Hard Disks/Drives
• Used to store the OS, systems software and working data/files.
• Storing applications files.

Advantages: Disadvantages:
• They have a very fast data transfer • It can be fairly easily damaged.
rate and fast access times to data.
• They have many moving parts which
• They have a very large memory affect overall reliability.
capacity.
• Their read/write operation can be
quite noisy when compared to solid-
state drives.
Portable Hard Disk Drives
• Can be used as a backup system to prevent data loss.
• It can be used to transfer data/files/software between
computers.
 Advantages:
• Data access time and data transfer rate are very fast.
• It has a very large memory capacity.
• It can be used as a method of transferring information between
computers.
 Disadvantages:
• They can be easily damaged if user accidentally drops it or
doesn’t correctly shut down the drive after use.
• The data transfer rate is not as fast as for fixed hard disk drives.
Optical Media
CD-R/DVD-R ~ Write Once Only

Uses:
 Home recordings of music and (CD-R) and films (DVD-R).
 Used to store data to be kept for later use to be transferred to another
computer.
Advantages:
 Cheaper medium than RW disks.
 Once burned (and finalised), they behave like a ROM.
Disadvantages:
 It can only be recorded once; if an error occurs, then the disk has to be
thrown away.
 Not all CD/DVD players can read CD-R/DVD-R.
CD-RW/DVD-RW ~ Read and Write

Uses:
 Used to record television programs which can be recorded over, time and time
again.
 Used in CCTV systems.
 It can be used as a backup device for files and data.
Advantages:
 It can be written over many times.
 You can use different file formats each time it is used.
 It is not as wasteful as the R format because the files/data can be added later.
Disadvantages:
 It can be relatively expensive media.
 Possible to accidentally overwrite data.
CD-ROM/DVD-ROM ~ Read Only Memory
Uses:
 These are read-only memory (ROM), which means they can’t be written over
and can only be read. Permanent storage method.
 CD-ROM is used to store music files and to store software, computer games and
reference software.
 DVD-ROM has much larger storage and is used to store films.
Advantages:
 They are less expensive than hard disk drive systems.
 They are very portable as they are small and light.
 Data stored on them is read-only, so it cannot be accidentally overwritten.
Disadvantages:
 Hold far less data than hard disk drives or memory sticks.
 Very slow data transfer rate and data access times, as compared to hard disk
drives.
 You cannot add your files to the disks because they are both read-only.
Blu-Ray Discs

Uses:
 Storing and playing back movies.
 Computers can use this technology for data storage or backing hard
drives.
Advantages:
 Very large storage capacity.
 Very fast data transfer rate.
 The data access speed is also greater than with other optical media.
Disadvantages:
 Relatively expensive discs.
 The introduction of HD (high definition) DVD players has reduced the
advantages of using Blu-ray technology.

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