3.

0 STORAGE DEVICES AND MEDIA- CHAPTER THREE

➢ Storage devices can either be Secondary or Primary storage.

Secondary storage- includes all non-volatile devices that are not part of primary memory.

▪ They allow data to be stored as long as required by the user.

▪ This type of storage is much larger than primary memory, but data access time is
considerably longer.
▪ All applications, the operating system, device drivers and general files (for example,
documents, photos and music) are stored in secondary storage.
▪ There are three different categories of secondary storage which are based on technology
that uses the following media:
1. Magnetic
2. Optical
3. Solid state.

Primary Storage includes:

1. RAM and
2. ROM

Difference between storage media and storage device.

Storage Media is the hardware on which the data is actually stored (for example, a CD or a DVD);
whereas the storage device is the hardware used to read from or write to the media (for example,
a CD/DVD reader or writer).

TYPES OF ACCESS
Serial (sequential Access)

✓ Files are stored one by one in a sequence

✓ Must search through the files one by one until you get to the one you want.
✓ Example: VHS tape, Cassette Tape, Magnetic Tapes.

Direct (Random Access)

✓ Stores files so that they can instantly be accessed

✓ No need to search through files to get to the one you want
✓ Example: DVD, CD ROM, Blu-ray, external hard drive, flash drive

3.1 Magnetic media and magnetic storage devices

➢ Today, magnetic media rely on the property that an iron oxide coating can be magnetized
to represent a binary 1-value and demagnetized to represent a binary 0-value.
➢ One of the big advantages of this technology is that the magnetic state of the iron oxide is
permanent unless it is written over again.
➢ The two most common devices that use these magnetic properties to store data are:
a. Magnetic tape drives and
b. Hard disk drives (HDD).

3.1.1 Magnetic tape drives

➢ They are read from or written to by a read/write head in a magnetic tape storage device.
➢ Data is read from the tape using serial access.
➢ This type of storage is useless in real-time or online applications (due to the very slow data
access speeds) and is best suited to offline or batch processing. However, due to their vast
storage capacity, magnetic tapes are still used on large industrial or university computers.
Uses of magnetic tape

✓ Used in applications where batch processing is needed-for example, clearing bank cheques,
utility billing and producing pay slips.
✓ Used as a backup media- where vast amounts of data need to be stored.
✓ Used in long-term archiving of data-They have huge data storage capacities making them
ideal for long-term storage.

Advantages of magnetic tapes

✓ They are generally less expensive than the equivalent hard disk drive.
✓ It is a very robust technology -they do not deteriorate much over time and remain stable.
✓ They have a huge data storage capacity.
✓ The data transfer rate is actually fast.

Disadvantages of magnetic tapes

✓ Very slow data access times as they use serial access,

- whilst magnetic tape data access time is slow, the data transfer rate is still high.
✓ When updating, another tape is needed to store the final updated version; this requires the
use of a master tape (the original tape) and a transaction tape (which contains all the
changes to be made) to produce a new master tape.
✓ They are affected by magnetic fields- a strong magnet can corrupt data stored on the tape.

3.1.2 Hard disk drives (HDD)

Data is stored in a digital format on the magnetic surfaces of the hard disks/platters.

A hard disk drive will very often have more than one platter depending on its capacity. A
number of read/write heads can access all of the platter surfaces in the disk drive.

Data on an HDD can be read using direct access – this means, unlike magnetic tape, earlier
data does not have to be read first before the required data is found.

Uses of fixed hard disk drives

✓ To store the operating system, systems software and working data/files.

✓ Storing applications software.
 ✓ Used in real-time systems for example, robots, control of a chemical plant and in online
systems.
✓ Used in file servers for computer networks.

Advantages of fixed hard disk drives

✓ They have a very fast data transfer rate and fast access times to data.
✓ They have very large memory capacities.

Disadvantages of fixed hard disk drives

✓ They can be fairly easily damaged.

✓ They have many moving parts which can affect their overall reliability.
✓ Their read/write operation can be quite noisy when compared to solid-state drives.

3.1.3 Portable hard disk drives

Portable hard disk drives are essentially HDDs external to the computer.

They can be connected to the computer using one of the USB ports, and thus can be used as a
backup device or another way of transferring files between computers.

Uses of portable hard disk drives

✓ They can be used as backup systems to prevent loss of data.

✓ They can be used to transfer data/files/software between computers.

Advantages of portable hard disk drives

✓ The data access time and data transfer rate are very fast.
✓ They have a large memory capacity.
✓ They can be used as a method of transferring information between computers.

Disadvantages of portable hard disk drives

 ✓ As with fixed disk drives, they can be easily damaged if the user accidentally drops it or
does not correctly shut down the drive after use.
✓ Data transfer rate is not as fast as for fixed hard drives.
✓

3.2 Optical media and Optical storage devices

3.2.1 CD/DVD optical disks
➢ CDs and DVDS are described as optical media and are read from or written to by optical
storage devices.
➢ They rely on the optical properties of laser light, which is used to read data and to write
data on the surface of the disk.

CDs and DVDs can be designated as:

‘R’ (Recordable)-write once only,

‘RW’ (Rewritable)-can be written to or read from many times or
‘ROM’ -read-only.
➢ Both CDs and DVDs use a thin layer of metal alloy or a light-sensitive organic dye coating
to store the data.
➢ CD/DVD is divided into sectors, allowing direct access of data.
➢ The data is stored in pits and lands on the spiral track
-lands are the gaps between pits.
➢ A red laser is used to read and write the data.
➢ The depth of these pits is only about 20 per cent of the wavelength of the laser light used
to read the disc. This means the wavelength of the reflected laser light is slightly different
to the original laser light, causing destructive interference. This allows the pits and lands
to be read and then be converted into binary data.
➢ DVD technology is slightly different to that used in CDs. One of the main differences is
the potential for dual-layering which considerably increases the storage capacity.
➢ dual-layering means that there are two individual recording layers.
 Uses of CD-R and DVD-R

✓ Home recordings of music (CD-R) and films (DVD-R).

✓ Used to store data to be kept for later use or to be transferred to another computer.

Advantages of CD-R and DVD-R

✓ Cheaper medium than RW disks.

✓ Once burned they behave like a ROM.

Disadvantages of CD-R and DVD-R

✓ Can only be recorded once; if an error occurs then the disk has to be thrown away.
✓ Not all CD/DVD players can read CD-R/DVD-R.

Uses of CD-RW/DVD-RW

✓ Used to record television programmes which can be recorded over, time and time again.
✓ Used in CCTV systems.
✓ Can be used as a backup device for files and data.

Advantages of CD-RW/DVD-RW

✓ Can be written over many times.

✓ Can use different file formats each time it is used.
✓ Not as wasteful as R format because the files/data can be added at a later stage.

Disadvantages of CD-RW/DVD-RW

✓ Can be relatively expensive media.

✓ Possible to accidentally overwrite data.

Uses of CD-ROM/DVD-ROM

✓ These optical disks are read-only memory (ROM) which means they cannot be written over
and can only be read. They are a permanent method of data storage.
✓ CD-ROM is used to store music files and to store software, computer games and reference
software (such as an encyclopedia).
 ✓ DVD-ROM has much larger storage and is used to store films; but now it is increasingly
used to store computer data and the evermore sophisticated games.
✓ CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs are used in applications where there is a real need to prevent
the deletion or overwriting of important data.

Advantages of CD-ROM/DVD-ROM

✓ They are less expensive than hard disk drive systems.

Disadvantages of CD-ROM/DVD-ROM

✓ The data transfer rate/data access time is slower than for hard disks.

N//B: DVD-RAM- is constructed and operates differently to the other DVD formats and has been
used as RAM in computers and camcorders.

3.2.2 Blu-ray discs

Blu-ray discs are read from or written to using a Blu-ray optical storage device.

The main differences between DVD and Blu-ray are:

✓ A blue laser, rather than a red laser, is used to carry out Blu-ray read and write operations;
the wavelength of blue light is only 405 nanometers compared to 650 nm for red light.
✓ Blu-ray can store up to five times more data than normal DVD.
✓ Single-layer Blu-ray discs use a 1.2 mm thick polycarbonate disk; however, dual-layer Blu-
ray and normal DVDs both use a sandwich of two 0.6 mm thick disks (i.e. 1.2 mm thick).
✓ Blu-ray disks automatically come with a secure encryption system which helps to prevent
piracy and copyright infringement.
✓ The data transfer rate for a Blu-ray disc is higher than that of a DVD.-(DVD is 10 Mbps
and for a Blu-ray disc it is 36 Mbps )
Comparison of the capacity and interactivity of DVDs and Blu-ray discs

❖ A standard single-layer DVD has a storage capacity of 4.7 GB (enough to store a two-hour
standard definition movie).
❖ A single-layer Blu-ray disc has a storage capacity of 27 GB (enough to store a two-hour
high-definition movie or 13 hours of standard definition movies).
❖ A dual-layer Blu-ray disc has a storage capacity of 50 GB (enough to store 4.5 hours of
high-definition movies or 20 hours of standard definition movies).
❖ Blu-ray devices allow greater interactivity than DVD devices. For example with Blu-ray,
it is possible to:
✓ record high-definition television programmes
✓ skip quickly to any part of the disc
✓ create playlists of recorded movies and television programmes
✓ edit or re-order programmes recorded on the disc
✓ automatically search for empty space on the disc to avoid over-recording
✓ access websites and download subtitles and other interesting features.

Comparison of CD, DVD and Blu-ray

Uses of Blu-ray discs
✓ Home video consoles.
✓ Storing and playing back HD movies.
✓ Computers can use this technology for data storage or backing up hard drives.
✓ Camcorders can use this media to store movies.
Disadvantages of Blu-ray discs
✓ Relatively expensive discs.
✓ Encryption problems (which are used to stop piracy) when used to store video.
✓ Introduction of HD DVD players has reduced the advantages of using Blu-ray disc
technology.

Exercise 3a
Review all of the uses, advantages and disadvantages of optical media. Produce a table comparing
CD formats, DVD and Blu-ray. Once you have completed the table, choose which optical media
could you use for the following (include a reason for your choice):
a Supplying software for use on a computer.
b Backing up your files at the end of the day.
c Recording or playing back a high-definition movie.
d Saving data that you do not want to be changed for any reason.
e Saving word-processing files.

3.3 Solid-state media and solid-state storage devices

❖ Latency is a major issue in HDDs as described earlier. Solid-state technology removes this
issue because all the data is retrieved at the same rate.
❖ Solid state does not rely on magnetic properties and they have no moving parts.
3.3.1 Solid-state drives (SSD)
Uses of SSDs
❖ Solid-state drives have revolutionised computers over the last few years, and they are
rapidly taking over from HDDs as the main type of backing storage.
❖ They have enabled laptop computers to become thinner and much lighter.
❖ They have given rise to the development of smartphones and tablets
Advantages of SSDs
what are the main benefits of using an SSD rather than an HDD? The main benefits of SSDs
are:
✓ They are more reliable -no moving parts to go wrong.
✓ They are considerably lighter -which makes them suitable for laptops.
✓ They do not have to ‘get up to speed’ before they work properly
✓ They have a lower power consumption.
✓ They run much cooler than.
✓ Because of no moving parts, they are very thin.
✓ SSD data access time is only 0.1 milliseconds compared to 10 milliseconds for HDD
✓ Data transfer speed for SSDs is also much faster than for HDDs.
Disadvantages of SSDs
✓ More expensive than hard disks
✓ Have a smaller capacity than modern hard disks
✓ Lower number of write cycles causing performance to diminish over time

3.3.2 Pen drives

❖ Pen drives (memory sticks) are small portable devices that make use of solid-state
technology.
❖ They connect to the computer through a USB port.
❖ Their main advantage is that they are very small, lightweight portable devices which make
them very suitable as a method for transferring files between computers.
❖ They can also be used as small backup devices for music or photo files, for example.
❖ Note: Any device that uses solid-state technology can be referred to as a flash drive; a pen
drive (memory stick) is a flash drive with a USB connector
Uses of memory sticks/pen drives
✓ Transporting files between computers or using as a backing store.
✓ Used as a security device to prevent software piracy (known as a dongle).
Advantages of memory sticks/pen drives
✓ Very compact and portable media.
✓ Very robust.
✓ Does not need additional software to work on most computers.
✓ They are not affected by magnetic fields.
Disadvantages of memory sticks/pen drives
✓ Cannot write protect the data/files by making it ‘read-only’.
✓ Easy to lose -due to the small physical size.
✓ The user needs to be very careful when removing a memory stick from a computer –
incorrect removal will corrupt the data on the memory stick and make it useless.
3.3.3 Memory cards
A memory card makes use of solid-state technology. They can be inserted into a device which
can read the card or allow data to be written to the card.
There are many available memory card formats, for example:
SD cards (secure digital card)
XD cards (extreme digital card)
CFast card (compactfast card).

➢ The XD card is a type of removable memory card designed for use in digital
cameras.They can be written to or read from the camera or other suitable XD card
reader

➢ The SD card is a type of very small card with a very high-capacity memory. SD cards
are primarily used in portable devices such as digital video recorders, digital cameras,
audio players, smartphones and tablets.

➢ A CFast card is a memory card format which was developed to allow solid-state
technology to be used in a very small portable device. It has no moving mechanical
parts and does not need a battery to retain data. CFast cards are primarily used as
removable memory for higher-end digital photo and video cameras.
Uses of memory cards
✓ Storing photos on digital cameras.
✓ Used as mobile phone memory cards.
✓ Used in MP3 players to store music files.
✓ Used as a backing store in hand-held computer devices.
Advantages of memory cards
✓ Very compact – can be easily removed and used in another device or for transferring
photos directly to a computer or printer.
✓ Because they have no moving parts, they are very durable.
✓ They can hold large amounts of data.
✓ Digital devices, such as compact cameras and smartphones, are able to read and write
to memory cards, allowing the user to transport large collections of photographs, songs
or information with them.
Disadvantages of memory cards
✓ Expensive per gigabyte of memory when compared to hard disk drives.
✓ Have a lower storage capacity than hard disks.
✓ Have a finite life regarding number of times they can be read from or written to.
✓ Memory cards, specifically the micro SD card, are the smallest storage devices
available; this means they are more likely to be lost, stolen or damaged.
✓ Not all computers come with memory card readers built in; users will often be required
to purchase a card reader or USB converter to view the data on a memory card.