Computer application: Chapter #8 Types of Storage

Storage

Storage holds data, instructions, and information for future use.
A storage medium is the physical material on which a computer keeps data, instructions, and information.
Capacity is the number of bytes a storage medium can hold.
A storage device is the computer hardware that records and/or retrieves items to and from storage media.

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.

Hard Disk

A hard disk contains one or more inflexible, circular platters that use magnetic particles to store data, instructions, and information.
Hard disks can store data using longitudinal recording or perpendicular recording.
Characteristics of a hard disk include :

Formatting is the process of dividing the disk into tracks and sectors so that the operating system can store and locate data and information on the disk.
The hard disk arms move the read/write head, which reads items and writes items in the drive - Location often is referred to by its cylinder.
A head crash occurs when a read/write head touches the surface of a platter.
Always keep a backup of your hard disk.
RAID (redundant array of independent disks) is a group of two or more integrated hard disks.
A network attached storage (NAS) device is a server connected to a network with the sole purpose of providing storage.
An external hard dish is a separate free-standing hard disk that connects to your computer with a cable or wirelessly.
A removable hard disk is a hard disk that you insert and remove from a drive.
Internal and external hard disks are available in miniature sizes (miniature hard disks)
A disk controller consists of a special-purpose chip and electronic circuits that control the transfer of data, instructions, and information from a disk to and from the system bus and other components of the computer.

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.

Cloud Storage

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.
Typically store software, data, digital photos, movies, and music.
Read only vs. re-writable.
Optical discs commonly store items in a single track that spirals from the center of the disc to the edge.
Track is divided into evenly sized sectors.
Care of optical discs.
A CD-ROM can be read from but not written to - Read from a CD-ROM drive or CD-ROM player.
A CD-R is a multi-session optical disc on which users can write, but not erase.
A CD-RW is and erasable multi-session disc - Must have a CD-RW drive.
Archive disc :

A DVD-ROM is a high-capacity optical disc on which users can read but not write or erase - Requires a DVD-ROM drive
A Blu-ray Disc-ROM (BD-ROM) has a storage capacity of 100 GB
DVD-RW, DVD+RW, and DVD+RAM are high-caacity rewritable DVD formats

Other Types of Storage

Tape
Magnetic stripe cards and smart cards
Microfilm and microfiche
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.
A magnetic stripe card contains a magnetic stripe that stores information.
A smart card stores data on a thin microprocessor embedded in the card.
Microfilm and microfiche store microscopic image of documents on a roll or sheet film.
Enterprise storage stores huge volumes of data and information for large businesses - Uses special hardware for heavy use, maximum availability, and maximum efficiency.

Putting It All Together

Computer application