Storage Device

What is Storage?
Storage refers to the media and methods used to keep programs,
data and information available for later use.

Storage can be classified as primary and secondary.

Primary storage is referred to as the main storage or memory, which

is temporary whereas secondary storage saves programs and data
permanently.
Units of Storage
Binary is the language that the computer speaks. This language is represented by ones (1) and
zeros (0), which are called bits.

Storage unit refers to the unit that is used to measure data or information. E.g.

 Bit
 Byte
 Kilobyte
 Megabyte
 Gigabyte
 Terabyte
 Petabyte
Units of
Storage
Bit and Byte

• A bit, short for binary

digit is the most basic
unit of data,
represented by either
a 1 or a 0.

• A byte is a storage
unit capable of
representing a single
character. One byte is
equated to eight bits.
Units of Storage
Abbreviation and Capacity
UNIT ABBREVIATION CAPACITY
Bit b 0 or 1
Byte B 8 bits
Kilobyte KB 1024 bytes
Megabyte MB 1024 kilobytes
Gigabyte GB 1024 megabytes
Terabyte TB 1024 gigabytes
Petabyte PB 1024 terabytes
Primary Storage
Variations of Primary Storage
PRIMARY

NON VOLATILE
VOLATILE
ROM

RAM CACHE
PROM EPROM EEPROM

DRAM SRAM SDRAM L1 L2 L3

Volatile Memory is used to store computer programs and data that CPU needs in real time and is erased
once computer is switched off. RAM and Cache memory are volatile memory, whereas Non-volatile memory
is static and remains in the computer even if computer is switched off. ROM is non-volatile memory.
Read Only Memory (ROM)
 ROM is non-volatile memory.

 Non-volatile memory is static and remains in the

computer even if computer is switched off.

 ROM is read only.

 ROM contains the programming needed to start a

PC; it performs major input / output tasks and

holds programs or software instructions.

ROM (Read Only Memory). W. (2019, April 6). Tech-

FAQ. https://www.tech-faq.com/rom.html
PROM
PROM or programmable
ROM (programmable read-
only memory) is a computer
memory chip that can be
programmed once after it is
created. Once the PROM is
programmed, the information
written is permanent and
cannot be erased or deleted.
PROM was first developed by
Prom Chip - Google zoeken. (2020). Alarm Grid. https://www.google.com/search?
Wen Tsing Chow in 1956. q=prom+chip&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjprO-
bq4fzAhVFwikDHVkYBHYQ2-cCegQIABAA#imgrc=vmD3M5gLL3z_JM
EPROM
Erasable Programmable
Read-Only Memory
(EPROM) is a non-volatile
memory chip that was
invented by Dov Frohman
in 1971. If exposed to
ultraviolet light, an EPROM
can be reprogrammed if
needed, but otherwise
does not accept or save any Eprom Chip - By WestonChants - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=57904322
new data.
EEPROM
Electrically erasable
programmable read-only
memory (EEPROM) is
designed to both
programmable and
erasable by a user using
electrical signals. EEPROM
was developed by George
Perlegos while in 1978.
Eeprom Chip - By © Nevit Dilmen, CC BY-SA 3.0,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30561436
Random Access Memory
(RAM)
 RAM is volatile memory.

 Volatile memory requires power to

keep the data accessible.

 If the computer is turned off, all data

contained in RAM is lost.

 RAM is used to hold data and
RAM (Random Access Memory). By An-d - Own work, CC BY-SA
instructions that are currently in use. 3.0,https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27224495
DRAM
Dynamic random access
memory (DRAM) is a
memory that need
refreshing. The refreshing is
done by the memory
controller which is part of
the chipset on the
motherboard. DRAM was
first invented and patented
by Robert Dennard in 1968.
It was released by Intel in
Dram. (2017, December 20). Engadget. https://www.engadget.com/2017-12-20-
October 1970. samsung-faster-smaller-greener-ddr4-ram-chips.html
SRAM

Static random access

memory (SRAM) is a
memory that does not
need refreshing. Faster
than DRAM, it is more
commonly used in
SRAM. (n.d.). RITM INDUSTRY. Retrieved September 18, 2021, from https://www.google.com/url?
cache and video card sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Ffanyv88.com%3A443%2Fhttp%2Fritmindustry.com%2Fcatalog%2Fintegrated-circuits-random-access-
memory-ram%2Fstatic-memory-chip-sram-random-access-
5%2F&psig=AOvVaw0tspcPO0bYbrpdKImmmivZ&ust=1632022682840000&source=images&cd=vf

memory only. e&ved=0CAsQjRxqFwoTCNiWnN70h_MCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAb

SDRAM

Synchronous DRAM, is
a type of memory that
synchronizes itself with
the computer's system
clock. Being
synchronized allows the
memory to run at
higher speeds than
SDRAM. By Vitaly Zdanevich - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?

previous memory types

curid=89159897
Cache
 Cache is a small amount of memory which is a part of the CPU - closer to the CPU than RAM.

It is used to temporarily hold instructions and data that the CPU is likely to reuse.

 The CPU control unit automatically checks cache for instructions before requesting data from

RAM.

 This saves fetching the instructions and data repeatedly from RAM – a relatively slow process

which might otherwise keep the CPU waiting.

 The more cache there is, the more data can be stored closer to the CPU.
Cache is graded as Level 1 (L1), Level 2 (L2) and
Level 3 (L3)

 L1 is usually part of the CPU chip itself and is both the smallest and the fastest

to access. Its size is often restricted to between 8 KB and 64 KB.

 L2 and L3 caches are bigger than L1. They are extra caches built between the

CPU and the RAM. Sometimes L2 is built into the CPU with L1. L2 and L3
caches take slightly longer to access than L1.

 The more L2 and L3 memory available, the faster a computer can run.
Secondary Storage
Variations of Secondary Storage
SECONDARY

OPTICAL STORAGE MAGNETIC STORAGE SOLID STATE STORAGE

TAPE HARD FLOPPY ZIP

DRIVE DISK DISK HARD FLASH MEMORY
CD – R DVD – R BD – R
DRIVE DRIVE CARD
CD – ROM DVD – ROM BD – RE
CD – RW DVD – RW BD – XL
 OPTICAL DISC FORMATS
Optical Disc Name Capacity Use
Compact Disc -
Recordable (CD-R) 650 – 900 MB Write once for music, short video and data.

Compact Disc - Read Only 650 – 900 MB Contained pre-pressed data that are usually
An optical disc is Memory (CD – ROM) software or games that can only be read alone.
Compact Disc - Rewritable 650 – 900 MB
(CD – RW) Can be rewritten for music, short video and data.

any media read Digital Versatile Disc-

4.70 GB Write once for video and data.
Recordable (DVD-R)

using a laser Digital Versatile Disc-

Random Access Memory
(DVD – RAM)
2.58 – 4.70 GB
Can be continually read, erased and written. It is
used for basic data storage, archiving data and
data backup.
Digital Versatile Disc- 4.70 GB Can be rewritten for video and data.
assembly. Rewritable (DVD – RW)
Blu-ray disc recordable BD-R discs can be written only once and is used
(BD – R) 25 – 128 GB to store High Definition video and video games.
Blu-ray disc rewritable 25 – 128 GB Can be rewritten for High Definition video and
(BD – RE) video games.

Ideal for various commercial uses such as video

Blu-ray disc Extra-large and broadcast archiving and storage, capturing
(BD – XL) 128 GB and playback of high definition programming or
data archiving needs.
Magnetic Media
 Magnetic storage is the storage of data on a magnetized medium.

 The information is accessed using one or more read/write heads.

 The first publicly demonstrated magnetic reader was invented by

Valdemar Poulsen in 1898.
 In 1928, Fritz Pfleumer developed the first magnetic tape recorder.

 In old computers, magnetic storage was also used for primary storage.

 In modern computers, magnetic storage is used for secondary storage.

Magnetic
Tape
• Magnetic tape is made of a
thin, magnetizable coating
on a long, narrow strip of
plastic film.

• It was developed in Germany

in 1928, based on magnetic
wire recording.

• A device that stores

computer data on magnetic
tape is known as a tape By Daniel P. B. Smith. - Image by Daniel P. B. Magnetic Tape Drive. Retrieved September 20, 2021,
Smith.;, CC BY-SA 3.0, from https://favpng.com/png_view/data-
storage-magnetic-tape-tape-drives-backup-
drive. https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?
tape-library-png/X0tC60yr
curid=7097264
Hard Drive
• A hard disk drive (HDD), hard
disk or hard drive is used for
storing an retrieving digital
information using one or
more rigid rapidly rotating
disks (platters) coated with
magnetic material.

• Introduced by IBM in
1956,HDDs were the
dominant secondary storage
device for general-purpose
computers beginning in the
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2021, June 28). hard disk. Encyclopedia Britannica.
early 1960s. https://www.britannica.com/technology/hard-disk
Hard Drive
Interface
Types
1. Integrated Drive Electronics
(IDE) is more commonly
known as ATA or PATA (parallel
ATA). It is a standard interface
for IBM computers that was
first developed by Western
Digital and Compaq in 1986.

2. Serial AT attachment (SATA)

1.0 was first released in
August 2001 and is a
B., & Profile, V. M. C. (n.d.). IDE hard drive. IDE. Hard drive sata connectors. (2012, July 5). SouthBit Data
replacement for the parallel Retrieved September 20, 2021, from Recovery. https://www.southbit.co.za/inside-a-hard-
http://timobiz.blogspot.com/2011/10/simple-steps- drive/hard-drive-sata-connectors/
ATA interface used in IBM to-configure-ideeide.html

compatible computers.
Floppy Disk
Floppy or floppy disk is a type of storage media capable of storing electronic data, like a
computer file.
The floppy diskette was first created by IBM as an alternative to buying hard drives, which were
extremely expensive.
The first floppy disk was introduced in 1971. The disk was 8" in diameter with a magnetic
coating, enclosed in a cardboard case with the capacity of one megabyte.
The 5.25" floppy diskette first started development in 1976 and later became a standard in
1978, these disks were first released with only 160 KB of disk space.
The 3.5" floppy was created by IBM in 1984 and was first introduced with a total capacity of 720
KB. The 1.44 MB floppy diskettes were used widely in the 1990s and were seldom found or used
by 2000.
Sizes of Floppy Disks

Floppy Disk for Data Storage. (n.d.). Floppy Disk Sizes. Retrieved September 20, 2021, from
https://www.digital-scrapbooking-storage.com/floppy-disk.html
Floppy Disk Structure Floppy Disk Drives

Floppy Disk - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. (n.d.). Floppy

Floppy disks. (n.d.). Floppy Didk Drives. Retrieved September 20, 2021, from
Disk Structure. Retrieved September 20, 2021, from
http://oldcomputers.net/floppydisks.html
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/floppy-
disk