Storage

Devices
In this section, fill in the information below about each method of storage. Include relevant diagrams under each
heading. Delete this red text when youre done.

Magnetic Storage
Definition/Characteristics: magnetised piece of storage data
How it works: the arm goes over the disk and when it feels a pull or a repel it is represented as a 1 and nothing is a 0.
Examples of Devices/Media: hard drive disk.

Solid State
Definition/Characteristics: Data stored on a non-volatile memory chips. This kind of storage is usually called flash
memory
How it works: data is stored on non-volatile memory chips.
Examples of Devices/Media: ssd memory chips and memory cards

Optical
Definition/Characteristics: information stored on optical such as CD, DVD or BUE RAY
How it works: It has spiral tracks of data going from the centre the spirals have bumps and the lights bounce off the
bumps and they send back the message back in 0s and 1s.
Examples of Devices/Media: CD DVD BUERAY

Advantages and Disadvantages

Fill in the table below. Use the internet to help you. Delete this red text when youre done.

Type of Storage

Typical Size

Uses

Advantages

Disadvantages

1-4TB

To store data
permanently os,
program files.

Large storage
capacity nonvolatile cheap

Moving parts
might be
damaged

1-2TB

To store back up
also transferring.

It is very portable
and can store a
lot of data

Easily damaged

6TB

To store back up.

Reliable large
storage

Easy to damage
dont fit in new
computer

32-62GB

To store some
portable files.

Small large
capacity portable

Lost easily data

can be corrupted
if data is removed
too quickly.

32 GB

To store data in
digital cameras
phones and tablet
computers.

Small large
capacity portable

Lost easily data

can be corrupted
if data is removed
too quickly.

Hard Disk Drive

Portable HDD

Magnetic Tape

Memory Stick

Flash memory
card

Storage Methods
Youve looked a lot at storage methods and what storage devices are used for. But you havent looked at how the
data is actually stored and accessed on a device.
Answer the following questions:
1. What is SEQUENTIAL storage/Access? A storage tech that is read and written in a serial fashion e.g. magnetic
tape.
2. Give one storage device/media that uses the sequential method of file storage magnetic tape.
3. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of sequential method of file storage large amount of storage .
very easy to damage

4. What is Random Access? The process of transferring information to or from memory in which every
memory location can be accessed directly rather than being accessed in a fixed sequence
5. Give one storage device/media that uses the Random Access method of storage
6. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of the Random Access method of storage

Backup
What is the definition of Backup?
It is an exact copy to the original stored in a different place
What is the difference between Backup and Backing Storage?
Backup is another copy in another place backing storage is just that piece of work saved in the same place.
Give two reasons why backups should be used/made
Because if the work gets deleted on one computer you have it on another