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: Magnetic storage media and devices store data in the form of small magnetic dots.
How it works: These store data on Iron Oxide which is known to us as rust. The dots are manipulated using magnetic
fields which are created electromagnets.
Examples of Devices/Media: Examples of devices are hard disk drives, portable/external hard disk drives and
magnetic tapes.

Solid State
Definition/Characteristics: Solid state means that there are no moving parts on this storage therefore there is no
tape or no spinning disks.
How it works: It is a non volatile storage and this means its rewritable.
Examples of Devices/Media: Solid state drives, memory cards, USB sticks

Optical
Definition/Characteristics: Information is stored on reflective discs
How it works: The storage is kept on a disk that is bumps or flat and then it is read using a laser.
Examples of Devices/Media: CD, DVD or Blu ray

Advantages and Disadvantages

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

Hard Disk Drive

Typical Size

Uses

Advantages

Disadvantages

1-4 tb

It stores data by
using rapidly
rotating disks.

It stores its data

even when the
computer is
turned off.
Relatively cheap
and quick.

Moving parts
could wear out or
damage and loose
data. Regular
crashes can
damage the disks.

2 tb

They do not need

a power source
and very large
amounts of data
can be stored.

It is portable.

It can break and

because it
portable it is
easily damaged.

6-8 TB

Used for server

backups.

It holds extremely
large amounts of
data.

It is slow to read
and write data.

Portable HDD

Magnetic Tape

Reliable.
32- 64 GB
Memory Stick

32- 64 GB
Flash memory
card

Usually used for

storing personal
files and
transferring them.

Large amounts of
storage in a very
small size.

Limited life
spams.

Usually used to
store photo
graphs or videos
on a camera.

Large amounts of
storage space.

Easily lost or
damaged.

Easily lost or left

behind.

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? Whereas Random access memory can be accessed randomly this data
is read in a data sequence.
2. Give one storage device/media that uses the sequential method of file storage. Hard disks and magnetic
tapes.
3. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of sequential method of file storage. One advantage of this
method is it is done systematically and in an order but one disadvantage it can only be used for permanent
storage whereas RAM is temporary.

4. What is Random Access? The process of accessing information directly rather than a fixed sequence.
5. Give one storage device/media that uses the Random Access method of storage, A CD
6. Give one advantage and one disadvantage of the Random Access method of storage One advantage of
Random Access is that it is very fast but a disadvantage is that it is volatile.

Backup
What is the definition of Backup?

What is the difference between Backup and Backing Storage?

Give two reasons why backups should be used/made