Storage Media & Devices Summary Notes
Key Definitions
Computer storage refers to the hardware components that store digital
data, files and programs.
We store data so that we can access it when we need it,
There are 2 methods of accessing data:
1. Serial access: This involves starting from the beginning of the file
and accessing each record to get to the file required.
It is a very slow form of data access.
It is used in systems where the speed of accessing data is not important.
It is used in magnetic tape systems examples where serial access is used:
utility billing clearing of bank cheques producing pay slips
2. Direct access: This is used to access data stored in any record by
typing in the required key field.
Typing in a key field will allow the user to access a particular record directly
from the calculated position.
It is used in optical storage media, hard disks and solid state media.
Accessing data is much faster
Storage device: Hardware that reads from / writes to storage media (e.g. hard
disk drive, CD/DVD drive).
Storage medium (media): The physical material on which data is stored (e.g.
disk, tape, flash memory).
Secondary/Backing storage: Non-volatile storage used to hold data and
programs permanently.
Secondary storage is slower but permanent while primary memory (RAM/ROM)
is fast but volatile (for RAM) or stores firmware (for ROM).
1. Magnetic Media / Devices
How it works:
Data is stored by magnetizing tiny areas on the surface of a disk or tape.
Read/write heads detect or change the magnetic orientation to represent
binary data (0s and 1s).
Magnetic material is coated on the surface of a disk which can be
magnetized to represent a 1 or de-magnetized to represent a 0 and data is
read accordingly.
Device / Medium Description Advantages Disadvantages Uses
Fixed Hard Disk Drive Rotating disks coated a. High a) Mechanical Main storage in
(HDD) with magnetic material; capacity parts desktops/laptops, OS,
read/write heads move b. Reasonabl b) risk of programs, files
over the surface e speed. failure;
c. Relatively c) noisy;
low cost d) less durable;
per GB e) not very
portable
Portable/External HDD This is HDD in an High capacity; a) Susceptible Backups, transporting
external enclosure portable to shock; large files
connected via USB b) slower than
internal
drives
Magnetic Tape Long strip of magnetic a) Very large a. Sequential Archival backups in
material storage, access only; organizations, data
b) low cost b. wear & tear; centers
per GB c. Slower data
c) Higher data access rate.
transfer
rate.
2. Optical Media / Devices
How it works:
Data is stored as tiny pits and lands on the surface of a disc.
A laser beam shines onto the surface; reflected light is detected to read
the data.
Different laser types (infrared, red, blue) allow different capacities by
changing the pit size.
Types of Optical media
CD-ROM/DVD-ROM (Read-Only-Memory)
Uses
CD-ROM stores music files and computer games.
DVD-ROM is used to store films, computer data and more sophisticated
gaming software.
Advantages
1. Holds more data than floppy disks.
2. Large memory capacity.
3. Less expensive than hard disk drives.
Disadvantages
1. Data transfer rate and data access time are slower.
CD-R/DVD-R (Recordable)
The letter ‘R’ means the disc is recordable only once and then it becomes ROM.
This media uses a thin layer of an organic dye as the recording media.
DVDs also use an additional silver alloy or gold reflector.
Laser beam produces heated spots and unheated spots and the laser beam
can distinguish between the two and interpreting the data as 1s or 0s.
Uses
They are used for home recording of music (CD-Rs) and films (DVD-Rs).
They are used to store data for later use.
Used in applications where it is necessary to prevent the deletion or over-
writing of important data.
Advantages
1. Cheaper than RW disks.
2. Once burned (and finalized) they are like ROM.
Disadvantages
1. Can only be reordered once.
2. Not all CD/DVD players and can read CD-R.
CD-RW/DVD-RW (Recordable-Rewritable)
‘RW’ means that these disks are re-writable media can be written over several
times.
Uses
CD-RWs and DVD-RWs are used to record radio and television programs.
They are used in closed circuit television (CCTV) systems.
Advantages
1. Can be re used many times.
2. Different file formats can be used each time.
3. Less wasteful than R format since files or data can be added at a later stage.
Disadvantages
1. Relatively expensive media.
2. Possible to accidentally overwrite.
DVD-RAM.
Uses
DVD-RAMs are used in recording devices such as satellite receivers to allow
simultaneous recording and playback.
They are used in camcorders to store films.
Advantages
1. Data access is very fast.
2. Very large capacities.
3. Ability to read and write data at the same time.
Disadvantages
1. DVD-RAMS are not as compatible as R or RW, many systems will not
recognize this format.
2. More expensive than DVD-RW.
Blu-Ray Discs
This uses blue laser light.
Uses
Blu-ray disks are used in home video consoles.
Used for storing and playing back films.
PCs can use this technology for data storage or backing up hard drives.
Camcorders can use this media to store film footage.
Advantages
1. Very large storage capacity
2. Data transfer rate is very fast.
3. Data access speed is faster than with other optical media.
Disadvantages
1. Disks are relatively expensive.
2. Blu-ray disks still have encryption problems.
Quick-Recap
CD-ROM/DVD-ROM: Pre-pressed, read-only. Cheap and durable, but cannot be
rewritten.
CD-R/DVD-R: Recordable once. Good for archiving, but cannot be erased.
CD-RW/DVD-RW: Rewritable many times. Flexible but slower and limited
rewrite cycles.
DVD-RAM: Efficient random access; durable, but less supported.
Blu-ray: High capacity (25–50GB). Excellent for HD video, but more expensive.
3. Solid State / Flash Media / Devices
How it works:
Solid state media use electronic circuits with transistors that trap or
release electrons to represent binary data.
No moving parts are involved, making them very fast and durable.
Types of Solid state media and devices
Solid State Drives
It functions much like a hard drive but is built with different technology.
They are built with an array of semiconductors that form its memory and
operated using an integrated circuit.
Uses
Used to store operating systems and working data.
Used for storing application software.
Used in file servers for computer networks.
Advantages
1. Robust because no mechanical parts.
2. Less susceptible to data loss.
3. Lighter, quieter and require less power than hard disks.
4. Data access times is faster than HDD.
Disadvantages
1. More expensive than hard disks.
2. Have a smaller capacity than modern hard disks.
3. Lower number of write cycles causing performance to diminish over time.
Flash Drives/Memory Sticks
Also known as pen drive/memory stick/USB stick.
Can store several GBs of data and use solid state technology.
Connected to a computer through USB port and power to operate drawn from
host computer.
Some expensive software increasingly uses these storage methods as a form
of security.
Uses
Used to transport files between computers.
Used as a security device – a dongle – to prevent software piracy.
Advantages
1. Very compact and portable media.
2. Very robust.
3. Not affected by magnetic fields.
Disadvantages
1. Not possible to write and protect the data and files.
2. Small physical size and are easy to lose.
3. Lower storage capacity than hard disk
Flash Memory Cards
Uses
Used to store photos on digital cameras.
Mobile phones use them as memory cards.
Used in MP3 players to store music.
Used as a backup in hand held devices.
Quick-Recap
SSD: Very fast, durable, no moving parts. More expensive per GB, limited write
cycles.
USB Flash Drive: Portable, silent, decent speed. But they are easy to lose,
smaller capacity.
Memory Cards: Compact, used in phones/cameras. But they have limited
endurance, and risk of loss.
4. Quick-Summary
Magnetic: HDD, Tape
Optical: CD, DVD, Blu-ray, DVD-RAM
Solid State: SSD, USB flash drive, memory cards
HDD vs SSD: SSD faster, durable, but costlier
Optical: Cheap, portable, slower, lower capacity
Tape: Good for archives, very cheap per TB, sequential access only.
Assignment
1. Six statements are given about storage devices. Indicate whether each
statement applies to hard disk drive (HDD) storage, solid-state drive (SSD)
storage, or both.
a) It uses flash memory to store data.
b) It has no moving parts.
c) It is used to store data and programs in servers.
d) It is a volatile storage medium.
2. a) A digital camera uses a type of solid-state storage. Name this type of
storage.
b) High-definition (HD) movies are often stored on a type of optical storage
medium. Name this type of medium.
3. A cinema has a system that stores movies on Blu-ray discs or an internal
hard disk.
a) Explain why Blu-ray discs might be preferred over an internal hard disk for
storing movies.
b) Hard disks and Blu-ray discs are examples of backing storage. Give two
other examples of backing storage media.