LO: To revise the Computer System Unit

Topics to Revise
Lesson 06: Memory and Storage
Lesson 07: Secondary Storage ACP
Check

Lesson 08: Optical Storage

Lesson 09: Cloud Storage

VAA
Check
LO: To revise the Computer System Unit
Connection finding to new learning
Memory and Storage
• Main Memory use
ACP
• The main memory stores program instructions (for current programs); Check

• The next instruction is fetched to the processor from the main memory;
• The main memory may also store data being used by the executed instruction;
• To execute the instruction data may need to be fetched / read from the main
memory;
• Data / results may need to be written to the main memory; VAA
Check
LO: To revise the Computer System Unit
Connection finding to new learning
Memory and Storage
• Types of Main Memory
• RAM ACP
Check
- volatile;
- only used for temporary storage of programs when they are running.
- contents are lost when the power is turned off.
• ROM
- non-volatile; VAA

- It stores a small program that loads the operating system called Check

bootstrap loader.
- You cannot write over the contents once it has been created.
LO: To revise the Computer System Unit
Connection finding to new learning
Secondary Storage
• Types of Secondary Storage
• Magnetic Hard Disk Drive ACP
Check

• Solid State Drive

VAA
Check
LO: To revise the Computer System Unit

Magnetic Hard Disk Drive

ACP
What are the components of HDD? Check

• The part of the hard disk that stores the data is

known as platter.

• Platters are circular disk coated with a thin layer of

a magnetic material

VAA
• Platters have tracks and sectors; where tracks are Check
concentric circles while sectors are pie shaped
wedges on the track.

• Drive Head is used for reading and writing the data

LO: To revise the Computer System Unit

Magnetic Hard Disk Drive

ACP
How HDD works? Check

• Spindle rotates at high speed while reading/writing data

• Actuator arm adjusts as per the location on the sector

VAA
• The direction of magnetic spots (NS or SN) represent 1s and 0s Check

• Data is read and written in the sector passes under the read/write head.
LO: To revise the Computer System Unit

Solid State Drive

ACP
• No moving parts in SSD Check

• Consist of NAND Transistors

• Data is written by flash of electricity; which is forced to passed through

insulating material. VAA
Check

• If the electron is stuck in the insulator material it is noted as 0, if no electrons are

there, it is noted as 1
LO: To revise the Computer System Unit

SSD vs HDD
ACP
Criteria Difference between SSD and HDD Check

Price SSDs are about 10 times more expensive than HDDs per MB
Power HDDs uses about 3 times more battery power than SSDs
Capacity SSDs are generally no larger than 512 GB but HDDs go up to 4 TB
Speed SSDs are almost twice as fast at loading up and copying files
Noise SSDs are silent whereas HDDs make spinning disc sounds
Reliability Both are highly reliable forms of storage but the magnetic disc is VAA
Check
more vulnerable to knocks as it has moving parts
LO: To revise the Computer System Unit
Connection finding to new learning
Optical Storage
• Types of Optical Storage
• Compact Disk ACP
Check

• Digital Video Disk

• Blue Ray VAA

Check
LO: To revise the Computer System Unit

Structure of Optical Discs

ACP
• Data is encoded on the CD in the form of pits arranged in Check

concentric circles
• While writing on a CD, it spins fast and laser burns and creates
pits on it
• While reading, CD spins and drive focuses a laser’s light onto its
surface
VAA
• The light reflected from the bumps/pit is different than from Check

surface reading data in the form of 0 and 1

LO: To revise the Computer System Unit

How Data is Read/Written?

• The tracking mechanism moves the laser into the correct position over the disc
ACP
• The disc is spinning to ensure the data can be read/written on the entire CD Check

• Laser light is used for burning pits on the disc which will be in the form of
concentric circles from the centre to the outside
• The laser is shone onto the disc and is reflected from the shiny surface
• A sensor detects changes in reflectivity from bumps and from land
• Bumps/pits and lands represent two possible bit values of 0 and 1 VAA
Check

• The disc will spin slowly when the laser is above the outer tracks
LO: To revise the Computer System Unit

Cloud Storage
• Ability to store data and software online and access from a remote location
ACP
Check

• Stored by third parties on servers. Magnetic or solid state drive

• Accessed via a internet connect either web browsers or app

VAA
• Examples Check

• Google drive, One drive, iCloud, Gmail, Facebook, Instagram, Dropbox, box.net, sky drive,
plus many more[
LO: To revise the Computer System Unit

Cloud Storage- Advantages and Disadvantages

For Against ACP
Check
Enables user to access their data from more Requires an Internet connection to access;
places / devices;
No/low upfront cost to purchase a storage User loses control over where / which country
device // can purchase a lower specification data is stored in;
computer.
Data will (probably) be backed up Reliance on company storing the data staying
automatically; in business;
VAA
Check
May be an ongoing cost for storage;
LO: To revise the Computer System Unit

Cloud Storage – Reasoning For & Against

For Against ACP
Check

Enables user to more easily share data with Access may be slow if Internet connection
others (can make parts of their cloud storage poor.
publically available)/Facilitates sharing of
files // cooperative working;

Increases the amount of storage available/can User loses control over who can access VAA
be expanded easily/capacity can be easily data. Check

expanded (without having to add/replace a

device);