Discovering Computers

Technology in a World of Computers,

Mobile Devices, and the Internet

Chapter 8
Digital Storage
Objectives Overview

Differentiate Describe the Identify uses of

between storage characteristics of external hard disks
and memory internal hard disks and RAID

Differentiate among
Describe the
various types of
benefits of solid-
memory cards and
state drives
USB flash drives

See Page 336 2

for Detailed Objectives Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Objectives Overview

Describe characteristics
Discuss the benefits
of and differentiate
and uses of cloud
among types of optical
storage
discs

Identify uses of
magnetic stripe cards,
Explain types of
smart cards, RFID tags,
enterprise storage
and microfilm and
microfiche
See Page 336 3
for Detailed Objectives Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Storage

A storage medium is the physical material

on which a computer keeps data,
information, programs, and applications

Cloud storage is another storage option, in

which the actual online storage media used
is transparent to the user
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Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Storage

• A storage device is the hardware that records

and/or retrieves items to and from storage media

Reading is the process

of transferring items
from a storage medium
into memory

Writing is the process of

transferring items from
memory to a storage
medium
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Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Storage

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Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Figure 8-1
Storage

• Capacity is the number of bytes a storage medium

can hold

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Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Table 8-1
Storage

• Items on a storage medium remain intact even

when you turn off a computer or mobile device

Page 338 8
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Figure 8-2
Storage

• Access time measures:

– The amount of time it
takes a storage device to
locate an item on a
storage medium
– The time required to
deliver an item from
memory to the
processor

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Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Figure 8-3
Hard Disks

• A hard disk contains one or more inflexible, circular platters

that use magnetic particles to store data, instructions, and
information

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Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Figure 8-4
Hard Disks

• Hard disks can store data using longitudinal

recording or perpendicular recording

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Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Figure 8-5
Hard Disks

• Formatting is the process of dividing the disk into tracks

and sectors

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Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Figure 8-6
Hard Disks

• Characteristics of a hard disk include:

Tracks Sectors Platters

Read/write Revolutions
Form factor
head per minute

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Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Hard Disks

Page 342 14
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Figure 8-7
Hard Disks

• A head crash occurs when a read/write head

touches the surface of a platter
• Always keep a backup of your hard disk

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Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Figure 8-8
Hard Disks

• Disk cache, sometimes called a buffer, consists of

a memory chip(s) on a hard disk that stores
frequently accessed data, instructions, and
information
• The larger the disk cache, the faster the hard disk

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Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Hard Disks

• RAID (redundant array of independent disks) is a

group of two or more integrated hard disks

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Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Figure 8-9
Hard Disks

• An external hard disk is a separate freestanding

storage device that connects with a cable to a USB
port or other port on a computer or mobile device

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Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Figure 8-10
Flash Memory Storage

• Flash memory chips are a type of solid state

media and contain no moving parts
• An SSD (solid state drive) has several advantages
over magnetic hard disks:

Higher storage Faster access Faster transfer

Quieter operation More durable
capacities times rates

Less power Less heat

Lighter weight Longer life
consumption generation

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Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Flash Memory Storage

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Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Figure 8-11
Flash Memory Storage

• A memory card is a removable flash memory

device that you insert and remove from a slot in a
computer, mobile device, or card reader/writer

CF SDHC SDXC miniSD microSD

xD Picture Memory Stick

microSDHC microSDXC M2
Card PRO Duo

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Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Flash Memory Storage

Page 347 22
Figure 8-12 Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Flash Memory Storage

Page 348 23
Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Figure 8-13
Flash Memory Storage

• USB flash drives plug into a USB port on a

computer or mobile device

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Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Figure 8-14
Cloud Storage

• Cloud storage is an Internet service that provides

storage to computer or mobile device users

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Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Optical Discs

• An optical disc consists of a flat, round, portable

disc made of metal, plastic, and lacquer that is
written and read by a laser

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Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Figure 8-15
Optical Discs

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Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Figure 8-16
Optical Discs

• Optical discs commonly

store items in a single
track that spirals from
the center of the disc to
the edge of the disc
• Track is divided into
evenly sized sectors

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Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Figure 8-17
Optical Discs

A CD-ROM can be A CD-R is an optical

read from but not disc on which users
written to can write once, but
• Single-session disc not erase

A CD-RW is an
erasable
multisession disc

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Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Optical Discs

A DVD-ROM is a high-capacity optical disc on which users

can read but not write on or erase

A DVD-R or DVD+R are competing DVD-recordable WORM

formats, on which users can write once but not erase

DVD-RW, DVD+RW, and DVD+RAM are high-capacity

rewritable DVD formats

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Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Enterprise Storage

• Enterprise hardware allows large organizations to

manage and store data and information using
devices intended for heavy use, maximum
efficiency, and maximum availability
– RAID duplicates data, instructions, and information to
improve data reliability

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Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Figure 8-19
Enterprise Storage

• Network attached storage (NAS) is a server that is

placed on a network with the sole purpose of
providing storage to users, computers, and
devices attached to the network

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Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Figure 8-20
Enterprise Storage

• A storage area network (SAN) is a high-speed

network with the sole purpose of providing
storage to other attached servers

Pages 359 – 360 33

Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Figure 8-21
Enterprise Storage

• Tape is a magnetically
coated ribbon of plastic
capable of storing large
amounts of data and
information
• A tape drive reads and
writes data and
information on a tape

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Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Figure 8-22
Other Types of Storage

• A magnetic stripe card contains a magnetic stripe

that stores information
• A smart card stores data on an integrated circuit
embedded in the card

Pages 361 - 362 35

Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Figure 8-24
Other Types of Storage

• The RFID tag consists of an antenna and a memory chip

that contains the information to be transmitted via radio
waves
• An RFID reader reads the radio signal and transfers the
information to a computer or computing device

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Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Figure 8-25
Other Types of Storage

• Microfilm and microfiche store microscopic

images of documents on a roll or sheet film

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Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
Figure 8-26
Summary

Characteristics of
Storage capacity
Variety of storage hard disks, RAID,
and storage access
options and external hard
times
drives

Various types of Advantages and

Characteristics of
flash memory various uses of
optical discs
storage cloud storage

Enterprise storage
options

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Discovering Computers 2014: Chapter 8
 Discovering Computers
Technology in a World of Computers,
Mobile Devices, and the Internet

Chapter 8
Digital Storage

Chapter 8 Complete