Chapter 3: Storage Devices & Media

Backing up data:
The process of making one or more spare copies of data and storing them on an
alternative device/medium. Importance of backing up data:
➔ To be able to retrieve data in case of accidental deletion.
➔ To be able to retrieve data in case of accidental overwriting of files.
➔ To be able to retrieve data in case of malicious damage.

Backing storage:
Non-volatile storage that is not directly accessed by the CPU, used to store files
and software.
Main/Internal/Primary memory Backing/Secondary storage

Directly accessible by CPU Not directly accessible by CPU

Faster access speed Slower access speed

Lower storage Tends to have greater storage

RAM & ROM are fixed inside the computer Can either be fixed or it can be removable

Can be volatile (RAM) and non-volatile (ROM) Non-volatile

More expensive per unit storage Cheaper per unit storage

Stores boot up instructions and can hold data Stores files and software
during processing

Storage media VS. Storage device:

Storage media: Hardware on which the data is actually stored (for example: CD
& DVD)
Storage device: Hardware used to read from or write to the media (for example:

CD/DVD reader or writer) Magnetic media and Magnetic storage devices:

Note: Magnetic media (magnetic tape) & Magnetic devices (HDD, portable HDD,
magnetic tape drive)
Advantages Disadvantages Uses

Fixed Hard Large storage capacity. Noisy when compared to an To store the
Disk Drive Fast data transfer rate. SSD. Have many moving operating
(HDD) Fast data access time. parts ‘’affect their system. To store
reliability’’. system
software.
 An incorrect shutdown
procedure could lead to loss of
data.

Portable Hard Large storage capacity. Data transfer rate is not as To store
Disk Drive Fast data transfer rate. fast as HDD. backups. To
Fast data access time. Have many moving parts. transfer data
between
computers.
Magnetic Tape Huge storage capacity. Very slow data access time. To store
Drive Fast data transfer rate. They are affected by magnetic backups.
Cheaper per unit fields.
memory than HDD.
Optical media and Optical storage devices:
Advantages of optical media:
➔ Cheaper than other storage devices.
➔ Portable.
Disadvantages of optical media:
➔ Slow data transfer rate.
➔ Slow access time.
➔ Not compatible with all computers.
Note: optical media (CD, DVD, Blu-ray disc) & Optical devices (CD drive, DVD
drive, Blu-ray drive)
Advantages Disadvantages Uses

CD/DVD - Less expensive than Data transfer rate is CD: to store music and
ROM HDD. slower than HDD. software.
“Can only be Data access time is slower DVD: to store movies.
read” than HDD.
CD/DVD - R Cheaper than RW Not all CD/DVD drives can File transfer between
“Write only disks. Once burned read them. different computers.
once” they behave like ROM. Archiving of data.
CD/DVD - Can be written over many More expensive than ROM To store data and
RW times. Files/data can be and R formats. backups. File transfer
“Can be written added at a later stage. It can overwrite data between different
to or read accidentally. computers.
from many
times”
 DVD-RAM Can read and write data More expensive than To store backups.
at the same time. other CDs/DVDs. File transfer between
different computers.
Blu-ray Greater storage Most expensive optical To store HD movies and
capacity. Faster data device. games. To store
access time than others. backups.
Faster data transfer File transfer between
rate than others. different computers.
Solid-state media and Solid-state storage devices:
Note: Solid-state media (memory cards) & Solid-state devices (SSD, Flash drive,
Pen drive, memory card reader)
Advantages Disadvantages Uses

SSD Faster data transfer than More expensive per unit To store the
HDD. memory. operating system.
Faster data access time HDD has greater longevity To store system
than HDD. than SSD. software and
Less power consumption working files.
than HDD.
Run quieter and lighter
than HDD.
Pen Very portable. Easy to lose. To store
drive/Memory Not affected by the Lower storage capacity than backups. File
stick magnetic field. HDD. More expensive per transfer
unit memory than HDD. between
different
computers.
Memory Small and can be easily Lower storage capacity than To store photos on
cards used. Very durable. HDD. More expensive per a digital camera.
unit memory HDD. To store backups.
Examples of memory cards:
➔ SD cards (secure digital card): Used in digital cameras, audio players,

smartphones and tablets.

➔ XD cards (extreme digital card): Used in digital cameras.
➔ CFast card (compactfast card): Used in high-end digital and video cameras.
Cloud storage (Cloud computing):
Online storage platform, data is stored in a remote physical location using
hundreds of interlinked data servers.
How data is stored using cloud storage:
➔ Users access the cloud storage using the internet from any device.

➔ User uploads files to a data server.

➔ Users pay a monthly/annual fee for storage used.
How data is managed using cloud storage:
➔ The server is managed by a cloud provider.
➔ Data is automatically backed up.
➔ If one server fails, there are others used as backup.

Steps to transfer files from a computer at home to another computer at

university using cloud storage:
1) User logs into the cloud from any device at home using the internet.

2) User ensures sufficient storage in the cloud account.

3) User uploads the files from his home computer to the data server.
4) User then logs into the cloud storage account from the university’s computer
using the internet.
5) Finally, the user downloads the files on the university’s computer.

Advantages compared to storing data locally:

➔ Data is accessible at any time anywhere in the world provided internet

access is available.
➔ More available storage space.
➔ Storage capacity can be increased without adding additional physical devices.
➔ Automatic backups can be made.
➔ Users only pay for the storage they use.

Disadvantages compared to storing data locally:

➔ Users must have an internet connection to access data.

➔ Users must have a reliable internet connection to store data.

➔ Cloud storage has an ongoing cost.
➔ Loss of control over the storage of data (storage is controlled by the cloud
provider).
➔ More security issues as multiple copies of the data are stored. ➔ Easier to
hack as data is always available.
Note: last three disadvantages are issues related to the security of data in the
cloud.