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CH 26 Storage Devices

Primary storage is volatile memory like RAM, while secondary storage is non-volatile and used to permanently store files. Common secondary storage devices include magnetic tapes, disks, CD-ROMs, and microfilm. Hard disks store data on multiple stacked platters divided into concentric tracks and sectors, providing more storage than floppy disks which are on a single disk. Magnetic tape is sequential access storage where the entire tape must be read to access a record, while hard disks allow random access to any record by its address. Other storage devices discussed include CD-ROMs, WORM disks, magneto-optical disks, and microfiche.

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67 views10 pages

CH 26 Storage Devices

Primary storage is volatile memory like RAM, while secondary storage is non-volatile and used to permanently store files. Common secondary storage devices include magnetic tapes, disks, CD-ROMs, and microfilm. Hard disks store data on multiple stacked platters divided into concentric tracks and sectors, providing more storage than floppy disks which are on a single disk. Magnetic tape is sequential access storage where the entire tape must be read to access a record, while hard disks allow random access to any record by its address. Other storage devices discussed include CD-ROMs, WORM disks, magneto-optical disks, and microfiche.

Uploaded by

Aiman Syed
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Storage Devices

Primary & Secondary Storage


Primary Storage Volatile storage, such as RAM, is primary storage All contents lost when machine switched off Good practice to make regular back-ups Secondary Storage Non-volatile, more permanent storage for software and data files For example:
Magnetic Tape, Magnetic Disks, CD-ROM, microfilm

File Processing
Method usually depends upon whether every record

needs to be processed. Sequential Processing


Every record has to be read. Typically used in a payroll situation.

Random Processing Each record has its own address allowing direct access
Address can be calculated from a unique key Or retrieved from a separate index

Typical in Database Management Systems

Floppy Disks & Zip Disks


3.5 Floppy Disk
Thin plastic disk (mylar) covered in metal oxide in a hard plastic case. HD (high-density) disk can store 1.44 Mb

Zip Disk
Slightly larger than floppy but similar construction Hold 100Mb or 250Mb of data

Disk Storage
Diskette has two surfaces, each with (typically) 80 concentric circles called tracks. Tracks are divided into sectors when disk is formatted

Hard Disks
PC One or more platters in a sealed casing. Typically 5Gb to 30Gb as of Spring 2001. Minis & mainframes May be fixed or removable Fixed are faster, more reliable, greater storage capacity Similar storage in concentric track, but on multiple platters, giving rise to concept of cylinders. Cylinder is the set of tracks that multiple read/write heads access in one position.

Hard Disk layout

Magnetic Tape
Magnetic Tape is obviously a serial medium. Have to read through tape to find a required record Updates require creation of a new tape
Data cannot be changed in situ

Cheap and convenient for backup Cartridge tape for PCs can store up to 20Gb

Magnetic Tape
101 111 011 000 110 110 001 001

Data record in frames across the tape


One frame represents one byte Frames form tracks along the tape, typically 9

tracks 8 data tracks and one parity track

Other Devices
CD-ROM Stores up to 700Mb. Various data types Read-only. Read by reflecting a laser beam off the surface and detecting the presence or absence of tiny pits which will have been burned into the surface to represent binary digits WORM Write Once, Read Many Similar to CD-ROM, but usually gold in colour Intended use for firms to store their own data for rapid retrieval Favoured by pirates to produce illicit copies of software

Other Devices
Magneto-Optical Disks
Integrate optical and laser technology for read and write storage. A 5.5 disk can store up to 2.6 Gb. Still under development, but may replace magnetic disks when price and speed permit.

Microfiche
COM (computer output on microfilm) devices create the4 by 6 hard-copy films that are microfiche Each sheet may contain upto 270 frames each containing a page of information which can be viewed using a special viewer

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